Delhi fast heading towards becoming Corona Capital; private hospitals to conduct tests: HC

Amid growing number of COVID-19 cases in national capital, a Delhi High Court bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Pras observed that Delhi is fast heing towards becoming 'Corona Capital' of country. Hearing a petition raising concerns about rate and status of COVID-19 testing, bench ordered private hospitals that have reserved 20% beds for mitting COVID-19 patients and have ICMR-accredited labs to start conducting vel coronavirus tests on symptomatic or asymptomatic patients seeking mission in hospital. It impleed ICMR as a party so that details of private hospitals authorized by it to undertake COVID-19 tests can be provided to court. 

In order dated June 11, it is mentioned that in Delhi, re are 17 public labs and 23 private labs having a capacity of conducting 2,900 tests and  5700 tests per day respectively. However, petitioner alleged that Delhi government has barred 6 of se aforesaid labs from conducting COVID-19 tests. Delhi HC, refore, issued tice to 23 private labs asking m to file an affidavit as to wher y have been permitted to carry out vel coronavirus tests and if y are facing any difficulties owing to bureaucratic red-tapism. matter will be heard next on June 18. 

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Paragraph 8 of Delhi HC order res, "It appears that Delhi is fast heing towards becoming Corona Capital of country, an epit city can well do without. We are of opinion that it is need of hour that all private hospitals in Delhi, who are equipped with a lab to undertake COVID-19 test, be permitted to do testing, without any furr loss of time. This is all more imperative as Delhi Government has directed all private hospitals in Delhi to reserve 20% beds for mitting COVID-19 patients."

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Petitioner demands an increase in testing

As per HC order, petitioner demanded an increase in testing citing AAP government's projection of 5,50,000 COVID-19 cases by July 30. court lamented that n-COVID patients are t being attended to till y undergo COVID-19 test. According to bench, n-COVID patients could be tested in authorized lab situated within premises of hospital itself rar than having to go somewhere else. On Thursday, Delhi witnessed its highest single-day spike in growth of COVID-19 cases with 1877 persons testing positive for vel coronavirus. Currently, re are 34,687 confirmed vel coronavirus cases in Delhi out of which 12,731 patients have been discharged while 1085 casualties have been reported. 

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