PRC rolls out home collection for COVID-19 saliva tests

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is launching home collection services for COVID-19 saliva tests, with Angkas bikers facilitating sample delivery.

This initiative aims to increase accessibility to testing, allowing individuals to be tested from the safety of their homes.

The PRC has been using Saliva RT-PCR tests since January, which are more affordable at PHP2,000, non-invasive, and accurate compared to swab tests.

As of March 1, the PRC had conducted 24,303 saliva RT-PCR tests.

Drive-thru collection sites for saliva tests have been established in various malls across the country, including a new one in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

PRC Pangasinan board of directors' chairman Maybelyn Fernandez stated the test has 98.11 percent accuracy and that results are available within 24 to 48 hours.

While the saliva RT-PCR test is approved by the Department of Health, its results cannot be used as a requirement for international travel.

The PRC Central Office is working to include the saliva test in the Philippine Health Insurance Inc. package to further reduce its cost.