Convert community halls and Mohalla Clinics into corona testing centres: High Court to Delhi Government

Gallery

MORE...

Sports

India Open Competition in Shotgun begins in Jaipur, paving way for Nationals' qualification

India Open Competition in Shotgun, organised by the National Rifle Association of India (N

Hockey India names Amir Ali-led 20-man team for Junior Asia Cup

Harmanpreet Singh named FIH Player of the Year, PR Sreejesh gets best goalkeeper award

World Boxing medallist Gaurav Bidhuri to flag off 'Delhi Against Drugs' movement on Nov 17

U23 World Wrestling Championship: Chirag Chikkara wins gold as India end campaign with nine medals

FIFA president Infantino confirms at least 9 African teams for the 2026 World Cup

MORE...

Convert community halls and Mohalla Clinics into corona testing centres: High Court to Delhi Government

Last Updated : 16 Sep 2020 07:06:48 PM IST

Mohalla clinic (file photo)

In a bid to ramp up corona testing in the national capital, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the state government to convert community halls and Mohalla Clinics into testing centres.

Noting that the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is only 60% accurate, a division bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad questioned: "Why are you waiting for the false negative report in RAT to proceed to the next step (RT-PCR)?"

"We are of the firm view that RT-PCR is the way forward," the court said while also requesting an expert committee constituted by the Lieutenant Governor to hold a meeting immediately to consider ramping up of RT-PCR testing capacity.

The court directions came during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Rakesh Malhotra who sought increased COVID-19 testing and speedy results in Delhi.

The court was informed by Director General of Health Services Nutan Mundeja that mobile testing facilities have been started at a few Metro stations.

The court noted that one fourth of the total tests conducted last week were RT-PCR and the rest RAT.

In an affidavit filed through its counsel Satyakam, the Delhi government said that there are 79 mobile testing teams active in 11 districts of the national capital.

The government further said that Geospatial Delhi Limited (GSDL) has been requested to undertake the mapping of fixed-site testing facilities for COVID-19 in Delhi.

The High Court had earlier asked the Delhi government to get locations of various testing facilities displayed at prominent places, including entry and exit of Metro stations for public awareness.