Rapid testing shows false negatives, says Delhi HC; questions AAP

Delhi, where the coronavirus situation worsened in June, ramped up testing in the last few weeks. As a part of the agenda to trace, isolate, and treat COVID-19 patients, the government relied heavily on antigen testing.

However, in the race to flatten the curve, Delhi increased the number of RAT tests and decreased RT-PCR, the primary mode of judging if someone has been infected.

Notably, the sero survey, conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), found that 22.86% of Delhi's population was exposed to the virus without even realizing it.

Pointing towards this data, the bench wondered why RT-PCR tests were only restricted for those showing symptoms.

"Should we go by RAT at all, instead of RT-PCR?" the bench asked.

The bench noted that 54 labs across Delhi are capable of carrying out 11,000 RT-PCR tests daily. However, between July 15 and July 23, not more than 6,000 tests were done, said HC.

"ICMR never said that RT-PCR, which is the gold standard test, be replaced with RAT," the bench said, adding that the AAP government must not follow its own interpretations of ICMR's guidelines.

Defending the government, counsel Satyakam said the health department was abiding by all guidelines of ICMR.

He said the apex body recommended RT-PCR tests for those showing influenza like illness (ILI) and testing negative in rapid testing. But the Delhi government included severe acute respiratory illness as well, meaning those having SARI and testing negative in RAT were sent for RT-PCR tests.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Delhi reported merely 613 new cases, its lowest increase in almost two months. The tally now stands at 131,219 with 3,853 dying.

Beaming with joy, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said, "The Delhi model is being discussed in India and abroad."

That Delhi managed to have a turnaround without any lockdown was also appreciated, he claimed.