Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 17: The state government has revised rates for various kinds of Covid tests being conducted in private laboratories. The new rates have been fixed as per the recommendation of the Covid task force.

For RT-PCR tests, for every sample sent to private laboratories, Rs 800 is payable. The new rates are applicable only for the laboratories in the state that have been recognised by the Indian Council of Medical /research.

Representational image

Checking, and confirmation test rates and PPE kit cost also have been included in the rates now fixed. No additional charges can be levied, the order says. For collecting samples and sending them to laboratories, a sum of Rs 400 has been fixed. For those who directly visit the laboratories, RT-PCR cost has been brought down to Rs 1,200. If the private laboratories themselves collect the samples and conduct these tests, Rs 1,600 has to be paid to them, it has stipulated.

For Truenat tests in which a person directly visits the laboratories, rate of Rs 2,220 has been arrived at. In case the laboratory personnel visit houses and collect samples for testing, Rs 2,600 is payable. The CB-NAAT rate has also been revised to Rs 3,800 if the person visits the lab and Rs 4,200 if the lab people visit home to collect samples. For Rapid Antibody tests, Rs 500 has been fixed while Rapid Antigen tests cost Rs 700.