SC directs Centre to cap cost of treatment at private hospitals

The Supreme Court on Tuesday told the Centre that the cost of coronavirus treatment cannot be a deterrent for a patient to receive medical care. “No patient should be turned away from the doors of healthcare institutions because the cost of treatment is too high,” Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said. The court also directed the Centre to regulate treatment costs at private hospitals in states.

India reported 28,498 new coronavirus cases earlier in the day, taking the total to 9,06,752. The toll rose by 553 to 23,727. More than 5.71 lakh people have recovered while there are 3,11,565 active cases.

Bihar will go under a lockdown from July 16 to July 31. Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, meanwhile, will be put under a week-long lockdown from July 15 amid rising coronavirus cases. The district includes Mangalore, Sullia, Puttur, Belthangady, Moodabidri, Bantwal and Kadaba areas.

The global coronavirus count is now over 1.31 crore, while the toll has crossed 5.74 lakh, according to the Johns Hopkins University. More than 73 lakh people have recovered so far. – Scroll In