Permitting COVID-19 tests without prescription to make it "accessible' to more people: Experts
New Delhi: Hospitals and private labs on Wednesday welcomed the Delhi High Court's order that doctor's prescription will not be mandatory for COVID-19 testing, saying the new system will make the tests "accessible and affordable" to more people in the city.
Until now, it was mandatory for a person to get a doctor's prescription or symptoms to get tested for the virus. The Delhi government on Wednesday also issued an order, saying a doctor's prescription for COVID-19 testing would not be required in the city.
Doctor Arjun Dang, CEO, Dr Dangs Lab, said testing of COVID-19 without prescription is "the need of the hour" in view of cases re-surging in the national capital.
"It would make the tests more available, accessible and affordable for the population," he said, adding that there are a lot of requests from international travellers.
Concerned over the spurt in new cases, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered that doctor's prescription will not be mandatory from now for those going voluntarily for RT/PCR test to detect COVID-19 infection in the national capital.
The High Court said people need to carry Aadhaar card for Delhi address proof and fill up a form as prescribed by the ICMR for COVID-19 testing.
According to a spokesperson of Dr. Lal PathLabs Ltd, as lockdown opens up and people start moving out, COVID-19 cases are expected to rise.
"We believe opening up testing facility for all is a very good move by the government to keep check on the rate of rising COVID-19 infections.
"With help of diagnostic companies, the government can install COVID-19 testing centres across the city where people while following the social distancing norms can freely approach such centres for test," the spokesperson added.
BL Sherwal, the managing director of Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital said, "We have been conducting rapid-antigen tests to trace asymptomatic cases. Those with symptoms have been undergoing RT-PCR tests."
We can increase the number of (RT-PCR) tests, there is no problem in that. The only issue is that a large team is needed to collate data. The data entry process takes a long time. Otherwise, there is no problem, he said.
The hospital authorities have set up counters for this purpose. The number of counters will be increased as and when the need arises, Sherwal said.
A record over 45,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the national capital, the Delhi government's health bulletin had said on Tuesday.
The Delhi government has significantly ramped up testing in the past few days.
Barring August 31, when over 14,000 tests were conducted and 1,358 fresh cases reported, since August 30, daily cases count has been recorded in excess of 2,000.
On September 7, the number of tests conducted was 22,954, while the single-day spike was 2,077.
Suresh Kumar, the medical director of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, said the hospital was waiting for the government to issue guidelines to conduct tests without doctor's prescription.
A Delhi government on condition of anonymity that they have been following ICMR guidelines for testing purposes at health facilities across the city.
"We have already been conducting tests without doctor's prescription at testing centres set up at screening points and containment zones. Those who have symptoms have to undergo RT-PCR tests. Rapid Antigen tests are for symptomatic people," he said.
Dr Gauri Aggarwal, founder of Seeds of Innocence and Genestrings Lab, New Friends Colony, however, said that there is an ambiguity.
"There is an ambiguity. The High Court said only 2,000 tests can be done without precsription. So how will labs come to know whether 2,000 tests have been done. Uttar Pradesh and Gurgaon have not allowed tests without a prescription.
"The ICMR had issued an advisory stating that RT-PCR tests can be done on demand for asymptomatic people. There is no clarity on that. We need a clarity on how it needs to be done," she opined.
Dang said even though the test will be done without prescription, doctor's advice will be necessary after the patient gets the report. Even if you get a test without doctor's prescription, you need to see a doctor after the report," he said.
Dr. Manoj Sharma, Senior Consultant, Medicine and Incharge at Medeor Hospital Qutab Institutional Area, said, hospitals can have dedicated inlet and outlet for patients coming only for testing purposes while also maintaining proper social distancing and ensuring that each person is wearing masks.
"Hospitals also need to keep in mind their testing capacity (how many tests can be done and staff working hours) and accordingly take only those many patients whose samples can be take. They need to avoid keeping people waiting in long queues for hours to get their tests done," he said.
Labs said they have already ramped up facilities in order to meet the increased demands.
"In the past week, we have increased our testing, we have increased our manpower and our drive-through centres. This is continuous effort to give the best turnaround time to our patients," said Dr Dang.
The spokesperson from Dr. Lal PathLabs Ltd said in terms of precautionary protocol, they have been following the safety measures from collecting the sample from the patient's home to performing the tests on the samples.
"We have enough capacity of phlebotomist at all our labs who are well-trained and equipped to collect the nasopharyngeal swab, they follow all safety norms to perform each activity," the spokesperson added.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
