Enquiries made by The Hindu at several private labs in the city revealed that while the RT-PCR tests are available at ₹800 and the test results are given in 24 hours, if one wants the results in five to six hours, they can sign up for a special turn-around RT-PCR test and will have to pay ₹2,500. Meanwhile, the RT-PCR express test, which costs ₹5,000, will ensure that the patient gets the test result within 13 minutes. Labs say that the special turn-around RT-PCR test and RT PCR express tests are in demand among passengers who are travelling from other States or countries. Dhriti S., an employee of a private company, said that she chose to get the special turn-around RT-PCR test as she had a sore throat. “The express test is useful in an emergency room where a patient is in the casualty and has to undergo a surgery or treatment,” he said.

Source: The Hindu December 28, 2020 21:26 UTC