Kerala government has reduced charges for COVID-19 tests in the state—for the second time since the pandemic set in, Health Minister K.K. Shailaja said on Friday. The price of RT-PCR tests that used to cost Rs 2,100 has been slashed to Rs 1,500 under the revised rates.
The Expert NAT test and True NAT test are priced at Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,5oo, respectively, while the new rate for Antigen test is Rs 300.
The costs are inclusive of PPE, swabbing and other charges. The revised rates will be applicable to all laboratories and hospitals approved by the ICMR or the state government.
The government had earlier reduced the charges for COVID tests in October. The latest price cut is mainly due to the availability of test kits at lower prices after competence in domestic market.
Meanwhile, Kerala reported 4,991 more COVID-19 cases on Friday with a test positivity rate of 9.45 per cent. At least 37 persons, who recently arrived in the state from the UK, have tested positive, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
