The Delhi High Court on Monday has directed the Delhi Government to continuously update its website on a regular basis to reflect the correct number of tests that are being conducted for COVID-19 in Delhi, mention the number of cases that are positive or negative and state the number of results that are pending after the tests are conducted.
A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a PIL filed by Mr. Rakesh Malhotra seeking directions for the center and the state to furnish reports after conducting COVID-19 on suspected people within a reasonable time of 48 hours or even earlier.
Mr. Malhotra informed the court about the Tweet posted by the Chief Medical Officer, Delhi dated 28th April 2020 stating the number of pending cases as 3295 that raised to 3793 as on 30th April 2020, and the petitioner further submitted that the Twitter account is not being updated thereafter.
Mr. Satyakam, appearing for the Delhi Government submitted the order issued by the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, GNCTD dated 29th April 2020 deciding on not sending samples to NIB, Noida due to delay in forwarding the reports, spreading over 15 days and to distribute samples among other government and private labs to ensure that reports are received within one day.
However, Mr. Malhotra contended that “…order dated 29.4.2020 referred to hereinabove only directs that samples shall not be sent to NIB, Noida till 03.5.2020, i.e., till yesterday but does not indicate the stand of the Govt. thereafter.”
Whereas, Mr. Satyakam clarified that the order shall continue to operate til for at least two more weeks. He also informed the court that 23 accredited labs are undertaking COVID-19 testing in Delhi out of which 10 are in the public sector and 13 are in the private sector. The collective capacity of the aforesaid labs is 3000-3500 tests per day. He further states that henceforth, reports of testing will be received within 1-2 days from the date the sample is received by the concerned lab.
The Court in its order stated that they are satisfied with the adequate remedial measures taken by the Delhi Government to expedite receipt of reports for testing patients for COVID-19 infection.
The Court while disposing of the matter directed the Delhi Government to ensure that the samples that are furnished to the accredited labs shall be processed and reports forwarded within 24/48 hours.
Whereas, the Court has also directed the Delhi Government to continue updating its website regularly to reflect the correct number of tests that are being conducted for COVID-19 in Delhi, mention the number of cases that are positive or negative and state the number of results that are pending after the tests are conducted. the PIL was disposed by the High Court.
-India Legal Bureau