Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — President Rodrigo Duterte backed the use of saliva-based coronavirus testing while complaining about painful swab tests.
He broached the statement of Philippine Red Cross that saliva tests have an almost perfect accuracy rate. However, the use of this test to detect coronavirus infections has not yet been approved by the Philippine government.
PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said saliva tests are “99.9% accurate,” but they are still awaiting the government’s approval for the kits to be used in the country.
“Ako talaga every time na kinukulikot ‘yung ilong ko nagmumura ako kasi masakit. I have to open my mouth wide,” the President said in his late-night address on Monday. “Pero may bago daw, sabi naman nito ni Gordon na ang swabbing sa saliva is 99 percent. Eh ‘di iyan na ang gagamitin natin.”
The Department of Health acknowledged the growing evidence on the potential of saliva tests as alternative to the painful and expensive RT-PCR swab tests. It says Red Cross has yet to act on the recommendations of the DOH and COVID-19 Laboratory Expert Panel before it can be granted approval.
Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday said PRC was asked in November to expand the number of participants in the study and have the saliva test kits reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration, saying they did not receive a reply.
[Translation: I curse every time they put the swab in my nose because it hurts. I also have to open my mouth wide. But there is this new testing method. PRC Chairman Gordon said saliva tests are 99% accurate. Let’s use that.]
Saliva tests are less invasive compared to swabbing the nose or throat for the RT-PCR test as patients only need to spit on a vial. A saliva test will range from P1,500 to P2,500 — way cheaper than the ₱3,800 to ₱5,000 charged for RT-PCR swab tests in laboratories.
Testing czar Vince Dizon also supported the use of saliva tests, saying it is less invasive and cost effective with a faster result output. He said Duterte’s remark should serve as a nudge to reviewers to hasten the approval of Red Cross’ application.
“Napakalaki po ng maitutulong ng saliva test so sana bilisan na natin. Sana sa linggong ito o sa susunod na linggo ay lumabas na ito,” he said in a media briefing on Tuesday.
[Translation: Saliva tests will be of big help so let’s fast-track the approval. Hopefully it’s out this week or next week.]
