Thread. When sampling for COVID is done, the ICMR Specimen Referral Form has to be filled. And this data has to be uploaded to the government’s RT-PCR app. While filling the form, a patient category has to be selected (as marked in the image below).

Most hospitals, to prevent cross-infection, were screening patients (who were being admitted for chemotherapy, dialysis, surgery or other medical conditions) for COVID. They would select and mark the category labelled as "other". These forms would then be uploaded on to the app.

Now, if these patients tested negative, and for whatever reason, need a COVID test again, the RT-PCR app does not accept their form (because it was marked earlier under the "other" category).

And since the form is linked to Aadhar details and address, a new registration cannot be created for this patient.

So, if one of these patients marked under the "other" category develops symptoms of COVID at any point, they cannot be tested for COVID. You can't process the test till the form is uploaded on the app. The app doesn't accept the entry.

This is a broken app. Needs to be fixed immediately.