Admit Without Covid Positive RT-PCR Report; Delhi HC to Hospitals 

A PIL seeking directions to the Delhi Government to order hospitals not to insist on Covid Positive reports in order to hospitalise patients who show symptoms of Covid-19 had been filed in the Delhi High Court. While disposing of the said PIL, the Delhi High Court on 26th April directed the hospitals in Delhi to thoroughly follow the AAP Government's circular regarding non insistence of a Positive Coronavirus report before admitting in Hospitals. Advocate Anuj Aggarwal, the additional standing counsel of the Delhi Government told the Bench that the Government had already issued an order on April 23 directing the hospitals that all cases of moderate to severe influenza-like illness shall be given treatment in a portion dedicated for “ suspected cases” . The Delhi Govt. order also added that no patient requiring medical aid should be denied treatment. The bench comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh thereafter directed to “ widely publicise” the April 23 Circular in this regard. The Petitioner had cited two instances when patients (both lawyers) who were showing severe Covid symptoms were denied being admitted to hospitals as they did not have a report stating that they were Covid-19 positive. In both of these instances, the reports were being held up in labs. This is when Advocate Anuj Aggarwal, representing the Delhi Govt. told the court that hospitals have been asked to strictly comply with the Delhi Govt. directions. While directing the Government to publicise this circular, the Court also requested the Delhi Govt. to increase the number of RT-PCR testing centres and to put in place the necessary infrastructure in order to streamline the sample collection process. This direction was issued by the Delhi High Court after many advocates told the bench that they were facing difficulties in getting tested for Covid as the labs stated that sample collection could be carried out only after 2-3 days. It was contended by them that the number of daily tests in the City have gone down to around 60,000 from over 1 Lakh tests that were being conducted earlier. Thus, now, as per the said circular and the directions of the High Court, a patient with “ steady symptoms” of Covid-19 does not need a positive test report in order to get admitted to a hospital in Delhi. In order to get legal advice for your legal issue, you can get in touch with Advocate Anuj Aggarwal.