“DELHI HC DIRECTS GOVERNMENT TO PUBLISH COVID-19 TEST REPORTS WITHIN 24/48 HOURS”

On Monday (4/05/2020), the Delhi HC directs the Delhi Government about the continuation of update for the correct number of tests on its website that are being conducted for COVID-19 in Delhi, and also mention the number of cases that are positive or negative and state the number of results that are pending after the tests are conducted.

Mr. Malhotra informed the court about the Tweet posted by the Chief Medical Officer that Delhi government stating on 28th April the numbers of pending cases 3295 that was raised to 3793 on 30th April 2020, and the petitioner further submitted that the Twitter account is not being update thereafter.

A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a PIL filed by Mr. Rakesh Malhotra seeking directions for the centre and the State to furnish reports conducting COVID-19 on suspected people with in a reasonable time of 48 hours or even earlier.

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 only to directs that samples shall not be sent to NIB, Noida 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. The collective capacity of the aforesaid labs is 3000-3500 tests per day , He further states that 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.

Where , the HC also directed the Delhi Government to continue updating its website regularly which helps to find the correct number of test that are being conducted for COVID-19 in Delhi, mention all the cases whether it is 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.

By Name: Shubhi Singhal of Law College Dehradun