Siargao Island to launch own Covid-testing center

WITH the reopening of the pristine Siargao Island to tourism, the province is set to launch its own Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) testing center and may use the saliva-based testing in the island, Rep. Francisco Jose F. Matugas II said.

Matugas of Surigao Del Norte made this disclosure several days after the successful launching of the state-of-the-art Philippine Red Cross biomolecular laboratory in Surigao City last January 12, 2021.

He said the testing center will both protect residents and incoming tourists from the spread of the disease.

“Having our own Covid-19 testing available for tourists would allow Siargao Island and Surigao del Norte’s tourism as a whole, to continue while keeping the province and everyone in it as safe as possible,” the lawmaker said.

Matugas also expressed his support for the move of Philippine Red Cross Chairman Sen. Richard J. Gordon to use the saliva-based Covid testing, which is seen as cheaper and a less invasive alternative to swab tests. (See related story).

Matugas said he believes that saliva testing is a “game-changer” in the fight against Covid-19 as more people would be able to undergo the test at a lower cost.

“It could be a game-changer and a great relief as well to our people who are already saddled with all sorts of problems brought about by the pandemic,” Matugas said.

Gordon earlier said saliva tests yield fast results with 99.9-percent reliability. The Red Cross announced its plan to conduct 1,000 saliva-based tests in its pilot run with parallel swab testing. The results of both tests will then be compared for accuracy.

Unlike the swab test, the saliva-based test could only take three hours to five hours to know the result.

The Surigao del Norte solon lauded Gordon and the Provincial Government of Surigao Del Norte led by Gov. Francisco T. Matugas for locating a suitable site for the newly-built molecular laboratory.

Matugas also cited the generosity of three mining companies for donating P18 million that was used to procure the equipment for the biomolecular laboratory.

“The establishment of this molecular laboratory is a timely development for the people of Surigao del Norte now that we have reopened our borders for tourism and have resumed travel,” the solon said.