RT-PCR Tests Halted For Two Days, Cops Make Green Corridors For Oxygen Cylinders In Delhi

New Delhi: The overwhelming demand for RT-PCR or antigen tests has forced several private testing labs to halt collecting swab samples for at least two days, News18 reported.

Delhi conducted 86,526 tests in the last 24 hours. The labs are now temporarily shutting down for at least a couple of days amid a shortage of manpower and overburdening of the existing infrastructure, said a Delhi health bulletin on Tuesday evening

As per ICMR guidelines, the data of results have to be uploaded within 24 hours of sample collection. However, with an unprecedented rush, the testing centres have been providing reports within 48 hours.

To keep pace with the Covid-19 surge and to check the delay in providing results, the Delhi government on April 16 issued an order stating, “Keeping in view the above and to ensure that districts (and Government hospitals) have an adequate number of slots available in labs to get their samples processed within a stipulated time frame (preferably 24 hours and latest within 48 hours) through the Gold Standard Test in continuation of order 1.”

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has started creating green corridors to ensure the smooth passage of oxygen containers.

This is what the police did on Monday night.

Two containers carrying around 19,500 litres of oxygen on which the treatment of at least 235 patients in Outer Delhi hospitals depended were stuck in traffic jams while on their way from Greater Noida and Faridabad.

“A dedicated corridor was provided by Outer district police for two oxygen tankers carrying 19,500 litres of liquid oxygen from the UP and Haryana borders. The containers had to reach all-COVID Action Balaji Hospital. The two tankers were escorted by Delhi police vehicles,” Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Sudhanshu Dhama, was quoted as saying by News18.

Meanwhile, 25 oxygen cylinders were arranged through the cooperation of medical superintendents of Sanjay Gandhi, Bhagwan Mahavir, Maharaja Agrasen and Jaipur Golden hospitals, he said.