The incessant rise of Coronavirus cases has turned Maharashtra as the ground zero of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, and now it has become the first State in the country where the number of samples tested at private facilities have overtaken those at government labs. It is nearly double as observed on Tuesday alone.

Ruling the Sate-wise number of Coronavirus with 5,221 cases thus far. Health officials’ only hope is upon widespread testing as a key tool to contain the spread. Official figures available Wednesday morning suggests that Maharashtra has tested 82,304 samples so far, of which 41,794 (50.78%)  were done in the private labs.

The official clarifies that those free tests are only done to Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries and economically weaker sections. Centre’s price cap of Rs 4,500 per test would continue for others.