Where To Avail Reliable Saliva Testing in Puerto Princesa City

Palawan’s response to the pandemic has been improved with the addition of COVID-19 saliva testing. Although there are yet to be plenty of saliva testing sites in Palawan, since saliva testing is cheaper and more convenient than the standard RT-PCR testing, many residents are looking forward to this testing method. It helps that the government is pushing for PhilHealth to cover the cost of saliva testing as well [1]. As for efficacy, saliva testing has 98.11 percent accuracy rate.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) announced the start of saliva testings last January 2021 [2] through PRC’s authorized sites. Saliva testing is available at Palawan’s PRC site at H. Mendoza St., Brgy. Model, Puerto Princesa City. In addition to this, there’s also a drive-through site at SM Puerto Princesa. Keep reading for more information on saliva testing sites in Palawan.

According to PRC, the sites are set up only for collecting the specimen; collected saliva samples will be forwarded to PRC’s laboratories for the testing. Before heading to the site, PRC requires patients to schedule their walk-in appointment at the following link: https://book.redcross.org.ph/index.php/product/palawan-saliva-test/

Once the necessary information are provided, patients will be given an appointment schedule and retrieval code that should be presented upon entering the collection site during the booked date. An e-CIF form, which can be accessed at https://c19.redcross.org.ph/public-ecif, must also be completed before the scheduled appointment. On the day of appointment, patients should arrive 15 minutes earlier than their scheduled time

Patients should also present a valid ID [3]. Other things to bring include face masks, face shields, and pens; mask and face shield use shall be mandatory inside the vicinity. In addition, patients are advised to avoid drinking, eating, gargling, and smoking at least 30 minutes before their appointment [4]. Wearing of lipstick is also not recommended.

Another one of the testing sites in Palawan is the drive-through saliva testing site at SM City Puerto Princesa, which is open Mondays to Friday from 1:00PM to 5:00PM. The saliva test price is PhP2,000. Patients are required to book an appointment online as well through www.book.redcross1158.com. Drive-through testing lets patients provide their saliva specimen without leaving their vehicles. The process takes five to ten minutes. Results will be texted by PRC within 24 to 48 hours.

Go to Yoorekka for more information on swab testing centers in Palawan, medical news today, and more COVID-19 health articles.