NEW DELHI, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday directed a price cut for RT-PCR tests for COVID-19.
Conducted free of cost in government hospitals, the tests can cost up to 33 U.S. dollars in private laboratories of Delhi.
"I have directed that the rates of RT PCR tests be reduced in Delhi. Whereas tests are being conducted free of cost in gov't establishments, however, this will help those who get their tests done in private labs," Kejriwal wrote on social media networking platform twitter.
Delhi recently witnessed a third wave of COVID-19 infection. On federal government's instructions testing capacity in Delhi was doubled, besides an increase in ICU beds of hospitals for COVID-19 patients.
Meanwhile, responding to Kejriwal's statement, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said he would soon issue formal orders in this regard.
At present India's top court is hearing a plea seeking directions to cap the cost at RT-PCR test at 5.41 U.S. dollars (INR 400) across the country.
Delhi at present is the sixth most affected state in the country with 566,648 COVID-19 cases and 9,066 related deaths.
On Monday morning, the federal health ministry said the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 9,431,691 and the death toll has risen to 137,139.
India is the second worst-hit country due to COVID-19 after the United States. Enditem
