Private laboratories in Delhi who are offering COVID-19 test are so busy that few of them are giving a waiting time to patients of 2-3 days for sample collection. This can prove fatal for those patients who have pre-existing ailment and other complications.

Krishna Devi, a resident of Rohini, said that her 24-year-old son suffers from kidney failure. Doctors had advised him dialysis last week but told them to get his COVID-19 test done. She called up two private laboratories to collect her son’s samples immediately from their home, but both of them refused, stating it will take another 2 days’ time. She said that at last they contacted someone they knew at Ram Manohar Lohia hospital to get the test done immediately. On Friday, the sample was collected and are yet to get the report.

The head of a well-known south Delhi laboratory told TOI that if their testing capacity is full, they can’t accept more samples. The state government has already threatened strict action if results are not declared within 24 hours of collecting the samples. The lab has a capacity to conduct 150 to 200 tests daily.

Shweta Prasad (name changed), living in South Delhi, was diagnosed with early stage of pneumonia, which is a classical symptom of coronavirus infection. It can be caused due to other infections also but during a medical examination the doctor prescribed COVID-19 test. She was referred to a private lab. After reaching there, the staff was originally scared and told her to register online for sample collection which can take two days. She further said that she has two kids at home and had to send them to a friend’s house while waiting and trying to find where to get the test done.

The owner of the south Delhi laboratory said that unlike in the case of H1N1 pandemic, the government had capped the price of tests but left the other matters to be carried out by the labs concerned. But in the case of COVID-19 pandemic, they have been burdened with lot of paperwork. He said that they have to send reports to ICMR and Delhi government initially, before sending the report to the patient. This takes extra time and manpower.

The head of another laboratory said that the government had issued orders for authorization of sample collectors from the district authorities causing delays. Only few sample collectors have been authorized and is causing a delay in sample collection from homes.

Amongst private labs, Dr Lal Path Lab has the capacity to carry out maximum 4,000 samples daily. But, the laboratory chain could perform a less than a thousand tests because of the time frame fixed for sending results and doing other formalities. The government had also ordered an inquiry into the laboratory’s results. The lab said that it has already sent clarification to the government regarding this matter.

A senior official in the Delhi government said that everyone need not undergo testing for COVID-19. They have 16 sample collection centres in the city. Those who have COVID-19 symptoms and history of contact with an infected patient can either call helpline number – 1031 – for guidance or approach these COVID-19 testing centres directly. A physician is also presnet at these centres to evaluate the patient’s condition.

According to the government data, 4,235 samples were collected for COVID-19 tests on 18th May; 2195 by government centres and 2040 by private centres. Out of these, 399 were positive. In Delhi, there are many coronavirus cases, hence sample collection and testing facilities should be scaled up. Epidemiologists also say that the case load will possibly increase further in the coming few weeks and the demand for tests will also increase.

Source: ET Healthworld