IHRA fixes standard Covid-19 test fee

Five more schools sealed in different parts of capital

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has fixed a standard fee for Covid tests in all private hospitals and laboratories of the city. The standard fee for Covid-19 PCR test with Roche and Abbott Antigen kits has been fixed at Rs5,000, while the fee for all other kits has been set at Rs3,500.

In an official letter, IHRA has notified all private hospitals and laboratories of the city regarding the decision. The letter states that an inability to comply with the decision will result in action being taken in accordance with the rules, which may result in revocation of registration, or culminate in the imposition of a fine and sealing of buildings. Punishments also include the possibility of punishment, the letter stated.

The IHRA has informed in the letter that the inspection teams of the authority will inspect the hospitals and laboratory collection points to ensure adherence to the prescribed rate, the letter added.

Meanwhile, five schools have been sealed in the capital due to the increasing number of Covid cases.

Assistant Commissioner Secretariat Anil Saeed, along with his team, closed five schools in Barakahu, Diplomatic Enclave, Shahdara, Bahria Enclave and Jaloot. Saeed said that he has directed officials concerned to carry out fumigation in schools.

He added that they would also ensure that children and schoolteachers are vaccinated.

On Sunday, as many as 71 more people were tested positive and five died of the fatal coronavirus, raising the tally of confirmed cases to 45,133 in the Rawalpindi district.

As per the latest data released by the District Health Authority, among the new patients,15 belonged to the Rawal town,13 from Rawalpindi Cantonment,12 from Potohar town, six from Islamabad and Gujjar Khan, five from AJK, three from Murree, two each from Kahutta and Kallar Syedan, while one of each case has arrived from Attock, Bagh, Chakwal and Jehlum.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2022.