- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has instructed the Union Government to submit a detailed status report on measures taken regarding COVID-19 sample collection, collection centers, and transportation, emphasizing that the threat of a future pandemic remains significant. The court voiced concerns over the unclear progress following a meeting on May 30, 2023, and highlighted the urgent need to finalize and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), especially as reports of COVID-19 cases within communities persist.
This order was prompted by a contempt petition filed by Dr. Rohit Jain, accusing authorities of neglecting previous court directives to establish minimum standards for sample handling and transport. During last week’s hearing, government counsel Monika Arora assured that a status report would be filed soon. The court was also informed that a meeting led by the Additional Director General of Health Services on May 30 involved four expert sub-committees comprised of specialists from central government hospitals working to develop SOPs for managing samples.
Despite these efforts, the court stressed the importance of ensuring that the decisions from the meeting are properly finalized. The case has been scheduled for further proceedings, with the Union Government expected to submit its report by July 18. As of June 2, 2025, India reported 3,961 active COVID-19 cases, with a total of 32 deaths since January, including four new fatalities since June 1, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
