Checking people with overseas travel history: Officials
New Delhi: Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) urging countries to test for Coronavirus as widely as possible to curb the pandemic, however hospitals in Delhi and other states have only been testing those who have travelled from affected countries or come in contact with a confirmed case and shown symptoms after two weeks of quarantine.
Officials at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML) have confirmed this. "We are only checking people who have travelled abroad, especially to the affected countries. Besides that, if they come in contact with any person then only will that person be tested," said an official, who didn't want to be named.
This has also raised questions on the country's Coronavirus testing rate, which has been ranked among the lowest in the world. "Delhi hospitals are not testing people, even with symptoms because they don't have foreign travel history, but it still doesn't make sense. What if a person came in contact with a person whose relative has a travel history?" asked a resident who had come to get checked at RML Hospital. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said, "There's no community transmission. All individuals need not be tested."
Riya, a MNC professional, who had come to get tested, said the hospital is giving out a form and only if you have all the symptoms will they test you. "I just had sore throat so they asked me to go," she said.
Another young man who was standing in the line was not tested as he was told he doesn't have all the symptoms. "I am getting paranoid here. If they don't check and something serious happens, who will be responsible for that?" he asked.
Many people are turned away as they are not matching the eligibility criteria. "Due to the seriousness of it, many people are getting paranoid. A simple cough or cold and they rush to the hospital. However, under the said circumstances, paranoia is bound to happen," said a medical expert in a public hospital.
On Thursday, another death due to Coronavirus was reported from Punjab, which makes it four as of now in India. According to the Union Health Ministry, about 173 cases have been tested positive for Coronavirus all over the country. Out these, 25 are foreign nationals, including 17 from Italy.
