Experts In PH To Study If Saliva-Based COVID-19 Testing Can Be Used, Says DOST-PCHRD Official

Experts in the Philippines will study if the saliva-based COVID-19 testing can be used, according to DOST-PCHRD official.

An official from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) on Saturday said that experts in the Philippines would study if the saliva-based COVID-19 testing can be used in order to detect COVID-19 infection.

This, as Dr. Jaime Montoya — the executive director at the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development — told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Weekend that they had approved studies in order to find out whether or not the said testing method can be used in the Philippines.

Experts To Study
Photo Source: CNN Philippines

Montoya also said that the said study would be conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in several areas in Manila that were under RITM’s zone.

In a separate interview, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) chief Fortunato de la Peña said that they would fund the research on saliva-based COVID-19 testing.

The saliva-based COVID-19 testing, according to the official, was seen as a “more convenient” option in order to diagnose the coronavirus disease.

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In addition, the official explained that the said method allowed people to collect their own samples with less discomfort compared to the standard nasopharyngeal swab.

Moreover, he said that the collection method can also minimize the exposure of healthcare workers to the coronavirus disease.

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