Govt. Allows Coronavirus Testing in Private Labs for Rs. 4500

Necessary biosafety and biosecurity precautions need to be taken while collecting the respiratory samples of suspected Coronavirus patients.

Within two days India has seen an unprecedented rise in the cases of coronavirus infections. India saw a surge of almost 100 new cases in two days making many states declare complete or partial lockdowns.

In an attempt to increase testing numbers and broaden the community tracing, the government has now allowed private labs to test patients for the Covid-19. It has allowed the NABL-accredited private laboratories to start testing COVID-19 samples. It has also issued guidelines of the cost to charge for sample testing, instructing not to charge more than Rs. 4500.

The guidelines are as follows:

• The national task force has instructed to the charge Rs.4500 for sample testing of Covid-19 in private labs. “This may include Rs 1500 for a screening test for suspect cases and an additional Rs 3,000 as confirmation test charges,” the notification said.
• Necessary biosafety and biosecurity precautions need to be taken while collecting the respiratory samples of suspected patients.
• The private laboratories can do the home collection of samples. This will reduce the fear of transmission.
• It also recommends only real-time PCR-based assays for COVID-19 testing, conventional PCR, in-house real-time PCR, and antibody/antigen tests are not recommended.
• Under suitable biosafety and biosecurity precautions laid down by ICMR, the authorized private labs will send all positive samples to NIV, Pune.
• The guidelines are subjected to amendments with the latest developments. Non-conformity to the above-mentioned guidelines shall lead to legal action.