Do not charge extra for Covid tests: DC to private laboratories

Hoshiarpur, September 25

In compliance with the orders issued by the state government to cap the charges of RT-PCR, TrueNat and CBNAAT tests, Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait on Thursday asked private laboratories not to charge more than the prescribed rates for Covid-19 tests.

Jal toll stands at 357

In Jalandhar, 240 people reported positive on Friday and the total cases reached 12,318. Six people succumbed due to the virus and the toll reached 357. Active cases stand at 2,022. The health authorities discharged 9,939 persons after treatment so far. As many as 70 people tested positive in Kapurthala on Friday.

Laboratories have also been instructed to display rates of Covid-19 tests in a visible manner for facilitation of masses. The Deputy Commissioner said no private laboratory should charge more than Rs 1,600 for RT-PCR test including the GST. She said charges for TrueNat were fixed at Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,400 for CBNAAT test, including the GST.

She pointed out that private laboratories should strictly adhere to the testing protocols laid down by the ICMR, the Centre and the state government and share the data pertaining to the COVID-19 tests with the govemment, upload it on the ICMR portal and send it to the Civil Surgeon through e-mail with a copy to the IDSP cell. — OC