Push Admin

DOH says PH can use saliva testing for COVID if...

Article (news)

Kristine Sabillo, ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it is just waiting for the Philippine Red Cross to submit its report on using saliva samples for COVID-19 testing to see if it can be used in the country.</p><p>“Supposedly Monday they will present to the laboratory expert panel but they asked for more time. They said Wednesday they will present to our lab experts,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a virtual briefing. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/17/21/covid-19-saliva-test-ph-red-cross-to-submit-results-of-pilot-study-monday">COVID-19 saliva test: PH Red Cross to submit results of pilot study Monday</a></li></ul><p>“But they are already one with the study. They are just finalizing the analysis,” she added.</p><p>The Philippine Red Cross has said that using saliva samples would be more cost- and time-efficient with a test only costing around P1,500 to P2,000.</p><p>Vergeire said that if the result of the study is “acceptable,” it will be submitted to the Health Technology Assessment Council, which can make a recommendation.</p><p>She said the PRC should also have their saliva test kits approved by the Food and Drug Administration so they can be used.</p><p>If the kits are approved and the study received validation from the government “we can adopt the protocol already,” the official said.</p><p>“We can draft a protocol so that other laboratories can also apply this,” Vergeire said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wuw0GAXpxpo?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>MANILA — The Department of Health on Monday said it is just waiting for the Philippine Red Cross to submit its report on using saliva samples for COVID-19 testing to see if it can be used in the country.<br /> </p>

MANILA — The Department of Health on Monday said it is just waiting for the Philippine Red Cross to submit its report on using saliva samples for COVID-19 testing to see if it can be used in the country.

DOH says PH can use saliva testing for COVID if...

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

DOH says PH can use saliva testing for COVID if...

Kristine Sabillo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 18, 2021 09:59 PM PHT

Read More:

COVID-19 testing

saliva testing

saliva sample

saliva test kits

Department of Health

Philippine Red Cross

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.