A list of private and public health establishments providing COVID-19 tests and the prices is published on the HCM City Department of Health’s website. VNS.Photo Gia Lộc

HCM CITY— The HCM City Department of Health has published the list of private and public establishments that do COVID-19 tests with their prices.

It is on its website.

There are 59 health establishments approved by the Ministry of Health to do real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

The ministry requires people suspected to have COVID-19 in the community to compulsorily get a RT-PCR test, but for them it is free.

The city also has 169 establishments approved to provide rapid antigen tests.  

The department’s inspectors will keep watch over testing establishments to ensure they do not overcharge.

It has also instructed hospitals to strictly comply with the fee regulations.

Hospitals are also required to choose a suitable test method and conduct pooled tests if needed to both ensure effectiveness and reduce costs for patients.

Rapid antigen tests are required for patients who need surgeries.

Hospitals where staff, patients or patients’ care givers are suspected to have contracted COVID need to do RT-PCR tests.  

Patients with rapidly progressive pneumonia and respiratory failure but seemingly without a cause should have a single RT-PCR test.

Pooled RT-PCR tests should be done for at least 20 per cent of patients and people who take care of them every week. VNS