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Price of RT-PCR test to be reduced, announces CM Arvind Kejriwal

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 12/1/2020 11:53:48 AM

New Delhi, Nov 30 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that he has directed officials to reduce the cost of RT-PCR test. “I have directed that the rates of RT-PCR tests be reduced in Delhi. Whereas tests are being conducted free of cost in government establishments, however, this will help those who get their tests done in private labs,” Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday. RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test are two types of tests done to detect novel coronavirus. Both tests are done for free at government testing centres and hospitals, but not at private clinics or hospitals. Currently, people have to spend Rs 2,400 for the RT-PCR test at private labs. In reply to the chief minister's tweet, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said orders will be issued immediately. Witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases, Delhi on Sunday recorded 4,906 new Covid-19 cases and a positivity rate of 7.64 per cent, while 68 more fatalities took the death toll to 9,066. At 68, the number of deaths was lowest since November 6, when the city recorded 64 fatalities. The positivity rate was 7.24 per cent on Saturday, the lowest since October 23. A total of 64,186 tests, including 29,839 RT-PCR ones and 34,347 rapid antigen tests, were conducted the previous day for detection of Covid-19, according to a bulletin by the Delhi health department on Sunday. A record 69,051 tests, including 33,147 RT-PCR ones -- the highest till date -- were conducted on Friday. Delhi had recorded its highest single-day spike of 8,593 cases on November 11. As many as 131 Covid-related deaths were recorded on November 18, the highest till date. The number of Covid-19 containment zones in Delhi rose to 5,441 on Sunday from 5,331 on Saturday. Of the total number of 18,661 beds in COVID- 19.