Cost of COVID-19 tests reduce by ₹600; to now be conducted for ₹1,900

According to the state health department, the tests for the coronavirus have been reduced by ₹600. In the past, the test was priced at ₹2,500, but with this new changed, one will have to now pay ₹1,900. Reports also stated that private laboratories were initially charging ₹4,500 for the tests. This led to a practice of robbing the patients suffering from the coronavirus. However, on August 7, the government decided to reduce the rates of the RTPCR tests.

The relaxations in the lockdown norms have now increased the availability of reagents, VTM kits, PPE kits required for the testing of the coronavirus. As a result, the prices of all these have fallen in the market.

Therefore, the committee held discussions with private laboratories. After that, the rates of RTPCR, antigen and antibody test were reduced and fixed, as per the information shared by the health department of the corporation.

Health Minister Rajesh Tope earlier on Tuesday, August 11, stated that Maharashtra will soon become the first state in the country to cap the prices of masks and sanitizers. He further added that the government is aware of these necessities being sold at exorbitant rates.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra reported 11,088 fresh cases of the coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, propelling the state's COVID-19 tally to 5,35,601. On the other hand, in the state capital Mumbai, 917 people were diagnosed with the coronavirus on Tuesday, taking the aggregate to 1,25,224.