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PH studying saliva sampling for COVID-19 testing; eyes Israel’s super-quick test kits for diagnosing

  • Alecs Andrea Casumbal
  • Sep 19, 2020
  • 2 min read

Newsight Imaging has recently developed SpectraLITTM, an AI-based technology which can be used as COVID-19 testing device. It produces a result in less than a second, is compact and costs less than USD 200 with each test costing only 25 US cents, roughly equivalent to PHP 13.


Newsight Imaging developed the SpectraLIT, a device known for its substance profiling ability, which can be used as a COVID-19 detection kit. (Source: Newsight)

This device was made originally for healthcare, food and beverage industries to analyze liquid contents by taking its spectral signature and comparing it to a profile stored in its database. Through its AI-backed profiling ability, the device can accurately match and identify unknowns into its corresponding substance using its database.


Recently, experts have been looking into the device’s capability as a COVID-19 testing device. Using saliva as a sample, the device can reportedly detect viral load using spectroscopy techniques.


In fact, according to its developers, Israel’s largest hospital and the involved medical center for clinical tests, Sheba Medical Center, is already halfway through trials consisting of 400 participants with a reported accuracy close to 100% especially for extreme cases.


In the Philippines, local experts are looking into the possible use of saliva-based test kits as a new means for detecting the presence of coronavirus, a Department of Health (DOH) official said.


DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reported on August 19, 2020 that their lab experts panel have been studying saliva sampling based on Israel’s test kits for a month now.


“Ibinigay na sa ating laboratory experts panel ang information para pag-aralan at tingnan ang experiences of other countries using this method. When we get information, we will provide everybody,” she said.


“Our laboratory experts panel was already given information for them to study and look into the experiences of other countries using this method. When we get information, we will provide everybody,” she said.


Said experts also instructed the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) to conduct a study about the use of saliva as a sample for testing, but to this date, initial results are yet to be procured.


"As soon as RITM obtains initial results of this study, we will be sharing it to everybody because this is something worth pursuing kung makakatulong talaga at makita natin na acceptable at feasible para dito sa ating strategy for testing here in the country," she reported.


“As soon as RITM obtains initial results of this study, we will be sharing it to everybody because this is something worth pursuing---to know if it can really help and for us to see if this is acceptable and feasible for integration into our strategy for testing here in the country,” she reported.


The Philippines reported about 253k COVID-19 cases as of today. Of the figures, about 187k have recovered, while 4,108 have died.


Experts believe that saliva-based testing, and repurposing of it for home testing may answer the calls for mass screening and shortage of PPEs.

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