COVID-19 testing: MHA fixes price at Rs 2,400 in Delhi

The directives issued to Delhi government is in pursuance of decisions taken by Home Minister on June 14, to double the COVID-19 testing in Delhi.

As per data shared by MHA, total 16,618 test samples were collected on June 15 and 16 while till June 14, the daily collection varied between 4,000-4,500, reports of 6,510 tests were received so far with remaining to be received by June.18

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The MHA statement said ,"To improve contact mapping in Delhi's containment zones, health surveys have been started on the directions of Home Minister.

Out of total population of 230,466 in 242 containment zones, survey of 177,692 people was conducted between June 15 and 16. The remaining will be covered by June 20.

Congress leader Ahmed Patel has demanded uniformity of test rates across country.

Patel has said that test rates for Covid should be uniform across all private labs in the country.

"Why should Covid-19 testing charges in private laboratories vary in different parts of the country?"Patel said.

"It's Rs 4,500 in Ahmedabad but Rs 2,200 in Mumbai. Central govt must work with states to enforce a uniform pricing policy for private labs across the country."

In Delhi, the cost of Covid test was initially fixed at Rs 4,500.