Calcutta HC Asks WB Government To Report On Steps Taken So Far To Contain COVID [Read Order]

Amidst the world-wide COVID scare, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday asked the West Bengal government "to report to the Court the steps so far taken to contain the spread of the virus and the facilities that are available for testing of patients".The division bench also inquired from the state about the provision of "PPEs to the medical and para-medical staff who are in the frontline to combat the virus".The court was hearing CPM Leader and doctor Fuad Halim's PIL seeking directions "to ensure that proper protective and preventive measures are taken by the State as well as by the Union of India to prevent further spread of such virus". Per the PTI report, the petitioner has claimed that the correct data regarding the tests conducted and the number of persons afflicted with the dreaded virus is not being shared by the government. It is also alleged that the testing of suspected coronavirus-infected persons is not being done as per the guidelines of the Indian Council of Medical Research.Noting that "None appears for the respondents, despite service through e-mail", the High Court granted a week's time to the state to submit its affidavit.The SC has also on Wednesday ordered that Tests relating to COVID-19 must be carried out only in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by WHO or ICMR, and should be done free of cost in both government laboratories and in approved private laboratories. The Apex Court also directed the Union Health Ministry to ensure availability of appropriate Personal Protective Equipments, including sterile medical/Nitrile gloves, starch apparels, medical masks, goggles, face shield, respirators (i.e. N-95 Respirator Mask or Triple Layer Medical Mask or equivalent), shoe covers, headcovers and coveralls/gowns to all Health Workers including Doctors, Nurses, Ward Boys, other medical and paramedical professionals actively attending to, and treating patients suffering from COVID-19 in India, in Metro cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.Click here to download the Order

Calcutta HC Asks WB Government To Report On Steps Taken So Far To Contain COVID [Read Order]

Mehal Jain

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