Karnataka High Court takes actions to control COVID-19

Yesterday, the Karnataka High Court issued directives to the state government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike [BBMP] giving direction to testing labs to inform persons who test positive for COVID-19 what action must be taken. 

The court required to issue directives immediately as the circular issued by the State govt date 2nd May 2020 did not adhere strictly as it gave guidelines for the COVID-19 test result.

Following are the guidelines issued to The State Government;

State to issue directions to COVID-19 testing centres and fever clinics to advise anyone who gives a test to undergo home quarantine.

State to clarify whether testing centres have been advised to ensure that serious patients are told to undergo hospitalization.

State to ensure that a person who goes to a testing centre is immediately advised home quarantine. As home isolation facilities will not be available to everyone, this grey area has to be addressed by the government. If his home does not qualify for home quarantine, the state government has to communicate that he must go to a COVID Care Centre (CCC).

State to consider whether a direction can be issued to private hospitals to refrain from denying admission to COVID-19 patients if beds are available and if the patient is willing to pay the charges.

It should be clarified that private hospitals should not insist on reports of labs and they are under an obligation to admit persons who show SMS or Arogya Setu report.

State and BBMP to ensure that the time lag between a person getting positive test report and the BBMP team arriving at the residence is curtailed to the minimum.

State to direct private hospitals not to refuse treatment to non-COVID until a COVID-19 test is conducted.

All details regarding CCCs in Bangalore to be placed on record which includes some beds available in each of the CCCs, facilities available, etc.

State to consider issuing a separate protocol for frontline workers, officers, etc., as mentioned in the Court’s previous order.

State to place on record the facilities (including all steps taken) available in 5 of the districts where maximum COVID cases have been recorded, apart from Bangalore.

The court held observations that the delay in getting test results has led to a direct impact on the spreading of COVID-19 virus.