As the Department of Health considers the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test as the "gold standard" for confirming COVID-19 infection, the Philippine Information Agency's consulting physician Dr. Dean Zenarosa over the weekend shared the cost and procedure when availing of the benchmark diagnostic testing at the University of the Philippines' Philippine Genome Center (PGC) in Quezon City.
If, for some reason, you would want to resort to getting tested for the coronavirus using your own resources, the Philippine Genome Center, Zenarosa said, offers its RT-PCR testing for P4,500 (or P3,960 plus VAT) for private individuals; P3,700 (or P3,256 plus VAT) for government employees; and P3,168 (or P3,960 less 20 percent) for senior citizens.
The Philippine Genome Center, located at the Institute of Mathematics in UP Diliman, is open Monday to Friday and individuals may come either in person or via drive thru, subject to availability of time slot.
"In addition to its mandated testing (RT-PCR) for PhilHealth covered patients, the Philippine Genome Center’s Clinical Genomics Laboratory (CGL) / COVID-19 Lab offers a Drive-thru and On-foot Swabbing service located at the Institute of Mathematics, National Science Complex, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City," the doctor quoted a Facebook post by the testing center.
Only persons with confirmed appointments will be accommodated.
To schedule a swab test, you must first book an appointment at least 24 hours prior to your preferred schedule.
To schedule, contact +63 • 998 • 996 • 7207 or email swabschedule@up.edu.ph (booking must be done between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
You should prepare (1) Completely filled Case Investigation Form (CIF) (2) Contact information and complete street address.
For payment, you should first coordinate details of testing with PGC’s COVID-19 Lab.
Clients must settle payment prior to testing and should Email proof of payment to pgc@up.edu.ph
Then, the schedule of testing to be confirmed by the COVID-19 Lab.
For more information, click on this link: https://bit.ly/PGCGL_ swabschedule
Just a word of caution from the PGC, if you have symptoms or are suspected to have been exposed to someone who tested positive, please contact your local health care institution for thorough evaluation by a physician prior to having your test done. This will also ensure that you are covered for mandatory testing for suspected and probable cases of COVID-19.
We will update this story as soon as more information comes in. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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