COVID-19 Test Not Mandatory for All Pregnant Women Before Delivery: Delhi Govt Tells Delhi HC

The Delhi Government has informed the Delhi High Court that it is not mandatory for all pregnant women to undergo testing for COVID-19 prior to their delivery. The information was given before the Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan in a plea seeking priority testing, expeditious processing and declaration of results of pregnant women for COVID-19. The Directorate of Family Welfare, Delhi Government, has also submitted that only those pregnant women are required to undergo COVID-19 testing who are either confirmed COVID-19 contacts or are under investigation for being a suspect. The report further states that with regard to admission in hospitals for in-patient care including surgery, pregnant women coming for delivery etc., prior COVID-19 test is not mandatory and in emergency situations the treatment must not be denied for want of COVID-19 test results.