Aster DM reacts positive on COVID-19 confirmatory test initiation

The shares of healthcare company-Aster DM Healthcare were trading higher with gains of more than five per cent on Thursday, after the company announced that it has started conducting COVID-19 tests.

On Wednesday after the market hours, the company made an announcement on stock exchanges about the company's clinical arm, Aster Clinical Lab LLP. It stated that the latter has started providing RT-PCR confirmatory test services for COVID-19 in Bengaluru (Karnataka). The development is considered very important due to the fact that the city is showing strong signs of revival from the lockdown and other restrictions. In such a scenario, continuing testing across the city becomes an essential part of the control measures as well as for keeping a check on the spread of COVID-19 infection through fast identification, quarantine, isolation and treatment.

The statement from the company further added that its lab facility is fully-equipped; having advanced instruments used in various routine as well as specialised investigations. With a purpose to serve these tests and investigations, the company has set up its pathology reference laboratory which will cater biochemistry, haematology, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics and digital histopathology-related investigations.

At 11 am on Thursday, the stock price traded at Rs 100 per share with gains of 5.6 per cent on BSE.