For patients/clients requesting for swabbing/testing
No. As of December 18, 2020, elective swabbing services are on hold.
If you are experiencing symptoms or feel that you might have been exposed, kindly approach your nearest healthcare provider to advise you on additional steps that may be necessary.
For hospitals/centers sending samples
Yes, we accept swab samples from hospitals/centers. Please inform us at least 3 days prior since this will depend on the lab’s capacity per day. Send formal requests to: clinicalgenomicslaboratory@up.edu.ph.
For sample submissions (variant checking): At present, all requests for sequencing must be coordinated with the DOH-EB following the guidelines as stipulated in DOH Circular 2020-0420. To coordinate possible submissions, please reach out to the DOH-EB Biosurveillance team.
Transporting the samples must follow the “Basic Triple Packaging System” as outlined by the WHO: All samples should be transported in an ice box. If not for immediate transport, samples may remain in -4C conditions for no longer than 4 days before being sent to our lab for processing.
All COVID-19 RT-PCR tests are performed free of charge for patients eligible for testing based on the DOH Expanded COVID-19 Testing Criteria (i.e. Patient Subgroups A-F), as well as all COVID-19 cases requiring repeat testing.
Yes. Kindly refer to circular PHIC 2020-0017 “Benefit for SARS-CoV-2 testing using RT-PCR (Revision 1)”.
We can provide upon request, but this is subject to availability of donated stock. It is the responsibility of the requesting facility to pick up any VTM they will be accepting from us.
The VTMs provided are also expected to be used for submission of samples to PGC only. The requestor cannot use these VTM for submission of samples to another testing facility.
Viral Transport Media or VTM is used for storage, collection, transport, maintenance and long-term freeze storage of clinical specimens w/c maintains organism viability for 48 hours at room or refrigerated temperature.
No. PGC conducts testing but does not sell test kits. For COVID-19 Kit inquiries, please contact Manila HealthTek Inc. at 0917 704 1396.
There are two types of “Rapid” tests: Rapid RT-PCR testing, also known as “GeneXpert Testing” and Rapid Antibody (IgM/IgG) testing.
PGC does not perform either of these tests, but be aware that the only validated method for confirming cases is the RT-PCR and Rapid RT-PCR methods.
Rapid Antibody testing is susceptible to high false positive or false negative rates depending on the stage of illness if someone has COVID-19, so it is not reliable as a screening test.
For inquiries on sending samples to PGC, contact us at: 8981-8500 local 4713 or email clinicalgenomicslaboratory@up.edu.ph.