Rajasthan slashes RT-PCR Covid test by pvt labs at Rs 800

Rajasthan government on Saturday fixed rate for Covid-19 RT-PCR tests by private labs in state to Rs 800, slashing it by Rs 400.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said government ordered lowering of Covid test rates from Rs 1,200 to Rs 800 following a drop in test kits' prices.

state government issued order slashing Covid-19 test rate by private labs soon after chief minister digitally inaugurated a 70-bed Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit in RUHS Hospital hee and disease testing labs in six towns.

Speaking during programme, Gehlot said his government is making all efforts to strengn Covid-19 management infrastructure.

“People should not be worried by rise in positive cases as y will do due to increasing number of tests,” he said.

He sought to assure people of “encouraging” recovery rate in state, saying Rajasthan has a Covid death rate below one per cent -- one of lowest in country.

Gehlot said corona infection must not be hidden at any stage because delaying treatment makes disease fatal.

He said those who did not get mselves screened timely h to undergo treatment in hospital.

chief minister said health infrastructure has been strengned throughout Rajasthan for maximum screening and proper treatment of corona-infected persons and now RT-PCR testing facility is available in every district.

Defending a Covid-infected Health Minister Raghu Sharma's visit to newly set up ICU in RUHS Hospital, a dedicated Covid hospital, in Jaipur, chief minister asked who else will conduct a visit if not health minister.

Gehlot said after testing positive, minister was mitted in RUHS Hospital and he inspected newly set up ICU re.

BJP h raised objections after Covid-positive minister visited hospital. BJP leers h accused him of putting lives of ors including hospital staff at risk.

Speaking during function, Rajasthan assembly Speaker C P Joshi said chief minister is being appreciated in entire country for his management during corona crisis.