After ‘serious concern’ expressed by higher authorities regarding less number of RT-PCR tests in Kashmir Valley, Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather on Thursday ordered increase in the “gold standard” test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

“While analysing the daily reports of Covid-19 work done of Kashmir Division, it has been observed that all the Districts arc performing less number of RT-PCR tests than what has been stipulated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in the guidelines issued from time to time, which has been viewed seriously by the higher authorities,” the DSHK said .
“As such, it is impressed upon all Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents & Block Medical Officers of Kashmir Division to increase the number of RT-PCR tests for Covid-19 in their respective districts,” he added