No RT-PCR test needed for hospitalisation

THE COURT TOLD DELHI TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RT-PCR TESTING CENTRES

NEW DELHI: A patient with “steady” symptoms of Covid-19 does not need an RT-PCR test report to get admitted at a hospital in Delhi, the government told the high court on Monday.

Anuj Aggarwal, additional standing counsel of the Delhi government, told a bench of chief justice DN Patel and justice Jasmeet Singh that the government issued an order on April 23, directing the hospitals that all cases of moderate to severe influenza-like illness should be provided treatment in an area dedicated for suspected cases, and no patient should be denied treatment.

“It has been informed that many patients with clinical presentation of Influenza-like illness with RT-PCR negative are reporting to hospitals with moderate to severe disease. Dedicated Covid-19 hospitals are denying them admission for want of a positive RT-PCR test. Hospitals are hereby directed that all cases of moderate to severe influenza-like illness should be provided treatment as per protocol in a dedicated area to be kept for suspected cases,” the Delhi government order read, adding that no patient “requiring medical aid should be denied treatment”.

The submission came during a hearing on a petition by Jaideep Ahuja seeking directions to the government to order hospitals not to insist on Covid-positive reports to hospitalise patients who show symptoms of the disease.

The petitioner cited two instances when patients, both lawyers, were not admitted to hospitals because they did not have the positive report despite showing severe Covid-19 symptoms. The reports of both the patients were held up at labs.

Advocate Anuj Aggarwal, who was representing the Delhi government, told the court an order has been issued.

“Principally, no patient should be denied treatment when they arrive at a hospital. But authorities are asking for test reports due to the current situation, since more than 100 hospitals in the city have been reserved for Covid-19 patients, A hospital should not be a source of infection,” Dr GS Grewal, president, Delhi Medical Association.