Respond to plea for genome test report of Covid +ve man: HC

Hospital refuses to discharge patient, mother moves court

New Delhi, Dec. 29: The Delhi High Court Wednesday sought the Centre and the city government’s stand on a plea by a mother wanting to know the outcome of the genome sequencing test of his Covid positive son as he was not being discharged by a private hospital for the lack of clarity on the virus variant. The 18-year-old arrived at the Delhi international airport from one of the “at-risk” countries and tested positive for Covid19. He has been in isolation at a private hospital since the morning of December 25.

Justice Jyoti Singh stated that while the protocols imposed by the authorities ought to be followed, the petitioner was entitled to know the genome test result which was not a “national secret”.

“They (governments) have to tell who has done the genome sequencing and when is the report going to come. The court will ensure that it comes to you (mother) and for that, we have to give them a day’s time. It’s your son and his genome sequencing. Why shouldn’t you know it? I don’t understand if there is any national secret in that,” the judge told the petitioner.

The court issued notice and granted time to the counsel for the two governments to seek instructions. The counsel for the Centre said the Delhi government was “managing the whole scenario” and pointed out that as per the petition, genome testing was stated to be done by the state government’s LNJP hospital.

The court was further informed that as per the latest guidelines, samples for genome testing have to be mandatorily sent in case of positive cases at the international airport. The Delhi government counsel stated that it was “not clear from the petition” as to who carried out the genome test.

“Would you both consider resolving this issue and coming back and telling the court who has taken the swab and conducted the genomic testing. I’m not meddling with your guideline and protocol. I’m not interfering in anything else. My only concern as a court (is) when children are coming from foreign countries, they are anxious and their parents are anxious,” the court responded.