Mandatory tests must pace up

The daily Covid cases have declined across Jammu and Kashmir; however, the government has admitted that the number of tests being conducted on a regular basis has also declined. The number of Covid tests being carried out by the districts across Kashmir for the last over a month has been reporting a steep decrease while the COVID cases are also witnessing a continuous dip. The decline in testing capacity has been observed at a time when the centre has maintained that the testing should remain up. The day-to-day testing data in Kashmir districts has been flagged as ‘way less’ by the higher authorities in comparison to what has been directed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare with regard to the number of daily RT-PCR tests. One fails to understand why the testing capacity has declined in Kashmir districts. Such happenings can land Kashmiris in disastrous situation as there is a need not to lower the guard. Lowering the guard in the past has proven fatal for many. Although the concerned health officials in the districts have been directed to keep up with the number of daily RT-PCR tests as per the guidelines and at the same time increase the testing in accordance with the directives, the government must ensure that all the protocols and other directive with regard to containing the virus are followed in letter and spirit so that the virus is defeated well on time.