Red Cross Warns Against Scam Sellers of COVID Saliva Test

The Philippine Red Cross on Thursday warned against scammers claiming to sell self-administered COVID-19 saliva test kits, adding it was the only body authorized to administer the type of test locally.

A cheaper and painless alternative, the Department of Health earlier authorized the Red Cross to offer COVID-19 saliva tests to help ramp up screening for the virus.

"Muli po naming ipinapaalala na tanging ang Philippine Red Cross Saliva RT-PCR test lamang ang aprubado ng Department of Health. Wala pong self-testing kits na ibinebenta ang PRC," the Red Cross said in a statement.

The PRS said saliva samples from its collection sites are brought and processed in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction laboratories.

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Earlier, the Department of Health also warned against buying self-administered COVID-19 test kits, saying such products were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

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