Delhi HC Tells Kejriwal Govt To Ramp Up Testing Centres; Directs Hospitals Not To Insist Patients For Covid Report During Admission

Delhi government told court that its Health department issued a notice on April 23 stating that hospitals shall not insist patients with coronavirus symptoms, to show Covid positive test reports for admission in hospitals.

Coronavirus

The Delhi high court on Monday asked the Arvind Kejriwal-led govt to buck-up with its Covid-testing infrastructure in the national capital, and directed the hospitals to “scrupulously follow" the circular issued by the state government on not to insist on Covid positive test reports before admitting patients showing symptoms of coronavirus.

A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh heard a PIL seeking directions to the Delhi government to order hospitals not to insist on Covid positive reports to hospitalise patients with coronavirus symptoms.

To this, the Delhi government told court that its Health department issued a notice on April 23 stating that hospitals shall not insist patients with coronavirus symptoms, to show Covid positive test reports for admission in hospitals. The representative of the state government further informed that such patients would be kept in a dedicated area, in hospitals, meant for suspected cases.

The bench meanwhile asked the state government to set up more testing centres and streamline the sample collection process. The order came after the central government said they were facing difficulty in getting tested as labs were delaying the sample collection process due to the pressure. Lawyers representing the Centre also claimed that the number of daily tests had gone down to around 60,000 from 1 lakh.

Earlier today, the Delhi government announed to provide free vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age. Kejriwal said that the state government has given the approval for the purchase of 1.34 crore vaccines. "We will make an effort to ensure that it is purchased soon and administered at the earliest to people," he added. Vaccinations will be open to all adults from Saturday, May 1.