The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has started conducting drive-thru real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) saliva test for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in two SM Supermalls on Tuesday.

The PRC, through its chairman and CEO, Senator Richard Gordon, and the management of SM Supermalls headed by its president Steven Tan, held a ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement at the PRC Logistics and Multipurpose Center.

“This is something that will bring back people to the malls safely”, Gordon said.

He said currently, they have the first two collection sites in SM Megamall at the Mega A bus bay in Edsa, Mandaluyong; and at the 5 Ecom Open Parking in SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The locations will serve as specimen collection sites while the samples will be forwarded to the PRC laboratories for testing.

Meanwhile, PRC biomolecular laboratories chief Paulyn Ubial said the process is fast and convenient.

“Ang magada rito hindi na lalabas sa sasakyan yung mga tinetesting inaabot na lang sa kanila yung tube and dun sila mag co-collect sa loob ng sasakyan, ilalagay nila yung barcode at ia-abot sa sample collector, so mabilis lang, 5 to 10 minutes (The good thing about this is that they do not need to go out of their vehicles. They will be given a tube and they will collect their own specimen inside their vehicles. They will place the barcode and give it back to the sample collector. It will take them only about 5 to 10 minutes),” Ubial said.

Results may be out within three to five hours and the cost is PHP2,000, way cheaper than the current prices of the RT-PCR swab test.

Gordon said PRC would send the results via e-mail or by text message.

He said while the country is waiting for the Covid-19 vaccines, testing should be intensified.

Even if vaccines become available, he said testing should continue.

“Kahit dumating na ang bakuna, importante pa rin ang pag-te-test para labanan ang Covid-19 kaya gumagawa ng paraan ang PRC upang mapadali at mapabilis ang pagtetest sa ating mga kababayan (Even if vaccines arrive, it is still important to test to fight Covid-19, that is why the PRC continues to find ways to make it easier and faster),” he said.

Gordon added that aside from SM Supermalls, other mall owners and businesses have already expressed their intention to partner with PRC in conducting Covid-19 testing.

He said those who want to book an appointment for the RT-PCR Saliva test may do so via book.redcross1158.com. (PNA)