Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SHP)

Bengaluru, Jul 24: The state government on Friday, July 24 released an order regarding revised rates for RT-PCR testing and Rapid Antigen testing.

As per an order released on March 21, the maximum cost of coronavirus testing fixed by the ICMR using RT-PCR technique was Rs 2,250 per sample. The amount included screening and confirmatory test for the samples. However, the task force committee has now reconsidered the rates that can be charged by the private laboratories for the RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen testing.

As per the new revised rate, the rate of RT-PCR testing for the samples sent by the state government to private laboratories is Rs 2,000 per test inclusive of the cost of PPE kit. The amount also includes screening and confirmatory tests.

The ceiling rate for private samples in private laboratories including screening test and confirmatory test Rs 3,000 per test inclusive of the cost of PPE kit. On the other hand, the rate of Rapid Antigen Test for private samples in private laboratories is Rs 700 per sample inclusive of PPE kit.

Meanwhile, the order by the Karnataka government also stressed that the testing can be carried out only in the labs which have been approved by ICMR. The labs have also been asked to follow the necessary conditions laid down by ICMR and the state government.