Delhi govt makes RT-PCR tests cheaper by private labs, prices capped at Rs 800

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Monday fixed the price of RT-PCR test by private labs in the national capital at Rs 800.

The Health and Family Welfare Department fixed the price at Rs 800 for samples that are collected by the government teams and collected from the collection sites by private sector labs “as requisitioned by the districts/hospitals and samples that are collected at the labs/hospitals/collection facilities (including all charges-samples collection and testing cost at the site)”.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the price cut for RT-PCR tests, the most reliable diagnostic test for detecting Coronavirus.

Though these tests are being conducted free of cost in government hospitals, they cost up to ₹ 2,400 in private laboratories.

“I have directed that the rates of RT PCR tests be reduced in Delhi. Whereas tests are being conducted free of cost in govt establishments, however this will help those who get their tests done in pvt labs,” Chief Minister tweeted.

RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test are two types of tests done to detect novel coronavirus. Both tests are done free at government testing centres and hospitals, but are charged upto Rs 2,400 for the RT-PCR test at private labs.

Many states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, have already capped cost of RT-PCR tests after ICMR said in May that it would no longer regulate the price, and that this would now have to be done by each state individually.

I have directed that the rates of RT PCR tests be reduced in Delhi. Whereas tests are being conducted free of cost in govt establishments, however this will help those who get their tests done in pvt labs.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 30, 2020

Prior to the Rs 2,400 cap, the cost of a Covid-19 test was Rs 4,500 if the private labs collected the sample and used their own kits, Rs 3,500 if the government collected the samples and the private labs used their kits to test it; and Rs 2,200 if the government collected the sample and provided the test kit as well. While the government paid these charges to the private labs, residents across Delhi were charged a flat rate of Rs 4,500, said an HT report.

Delhi has reported 1,487 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of coronavirus cases to 35,091 on Monday, according to Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.