Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : In pursuance of decisions taken by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a series of meetings held on June 14 and June 15, 2020, to handle the COVID-19 situation in Delhi, sample testing has been doubled immediately. A total of 16,618 test samples were collected on June 15-16. Daily collection of samples varied between 4,000-4,500 till June 14.
As part of decisions taken by the Union Home Minister at COVID management meetings, door-to-door health survey of residents has been undertaken in 242 Containment Zones of Delhi. Out of total population of 2,30,466 in these zones, complete survey has been carried out of 1,77,692 persons during June 15-16, 2020. Remaining persons will be covered byJune 20, 2020.
As part of actions to be completed as directed by Shah to tackle the COVID situation in Delhi, the report of high level Expert Committee headed by Dr V K Paul on rates to be charged by testing laboratories has been received in the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the same has been sent to Delhi Government for necessary action. Committee has fixed rate per test at Rs 2,400, according to a PIB release.
One more action taken as per decisions taken by the Union Home Minister, as per new protocol approved by ICMR, testing for COVID-19 will be done as per new Rapid Antigen methodology w.e.f June 18, 2020. This technique will be much faster & cheaper. Priority for supply of kits will be given to Delhi and a total of 169 centers have been set up in Delhi for collection and testing of samples, according to a PIB release.