Anyone willing for PCR test can do paying fee; takes nearly Rs 15,000 to get PCR tested for COVID-19

Even the public health institutions are now allowed to conduct COVID-19 test. Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Bikas Devkota shared that government was for allowing the public health institutions for conducting COVID-19 in order to increase test coverage.

With this scheme in place, anyone willing for PCR test can conduct for it, paying necessary fee. The health institutions however must maintain standard and privacy as set by the National Public Health Laboratory. Now, person- both Nepalis and foreigners having COVID-19 symptoms can get tested.

Currently, its takes nearly Rs 15,000 to get PCR tested for COVID-19. Adivisor to the Ministry, Dr Khem Karki said in the initial phase, public health institutions would be allowed first and then private health facility to conduct the test. "Government itself conducts test on those suspected of the disease. But, anyone willing to get tested can pay the fee and conduct it."

The government has so far conducted the PCR test free of cost from 19 different places across the country.

The number of the people tested via PRC method has reached 32604, while those with RDT are 74,649. A total of 2280 underwent PCR test in the last 24 hours. There are 21,623 persons in quarantines and 457 in isolation.

The Ministry is planning to immediately send doctors' team- 10 persons in one- in State-2 and State-5.
Meanwhile, the Epidemiology and Tropical Disease Control Division has increased the coverage of test. Among 700 conducted RDT in Kalimati, three were tested positive. Among 664 sanitation workers conducted RDT, 31 were found positive.

According to him, a total of 1,019 persons have undergone PCR test while 2,236 person RDT from different parts of the Kathmandu Valley.