DOH: Saliva COVID-19 tests need more study

The Department of Health (DOH) is currently reviewing two local studies on using saliva as an alternative specimen for COVID-19 testing.

One study is led by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), and another by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that further study, including increasing participant numbers and securing FDA approval, is needed before saliva tests can be widely accepted.