fter ‘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.