• Source:JND
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The Delhi High Court has directed the Central government to submit a comprehensive status report with details of actions regarding its policy for sample collection, collection centres, and sample transportation. The court highlighted that the "next COVID-19 pandemic is far from over."

The court expressed concern over the lack of clarity on the steps taken following a meeting on May 30, 2023. Given the rising cases, the court underscored that it is urgent to finalise and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The high court's directive came while hearing a contempt plea filed by Dr Rohit Jain. In his petition, Jain alleged that authorities had failed to comply with the previous court orders mandating the establishment of minimum standards for sample collection and transportation.

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Last week, government counsel Monika Arora informed the bench of Justice Anish Dayal that they would submit a status report. It was also revealed that a meeting chaired by the Additional Director General of Health Services took place on May 30, 2023, following a January 27 court order that year.

During the said meeting by the ADG Health Services, four expert sub-committees comprising specialists in biochemistry, pathology, hematology, and microbiology from central government hospitals were mandated to define SOPs for sample handling and storage.

Despite this, the court stressed the importance of ensuring that decisions taken in the meeting reach a proper conclusion.

The court has further listed the matter on July 18. The Centre has to submit the status report by then.

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The cases of Covid-19 are rising as of 8 AM on Monday, June 2, 2025, the total active cases in India are recorded at 3,961, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data.

With 483 active cases, Delhi has the third highest active patients' count after Kerala and Maharashtra, having 1,435 and 506 cases respectively. Overall, 32 people have died of COVID-19 infection this year.

(With ANI Inputs)