Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Wednesday said that it will foot the bill for covid-19 positive patients referred by public health institutes (PHI) to private healthcare providers (PHP) in the state.The decision comes a day after the government was at the received criticism for fixing high-cost treatment at private hospitals which are roped into aid efforts to battle the rising cases of covid-19 in the state.“For covid-19 patients referred by the PHIs to private healthcare providers, the cost of the treatment is completely free for the patient and (the) government will pick up the cost," according to a statement by the health department on Wednesday.The notification comes at a time when the state is witnessing a surge in positive.