Between June 18 and July 24 (morning), 4,04,141 lakh rapid tests were carried out in Delhi. Out of the total, only 2818 people (showing symptoms) were re-tested through RT-PCR method, of which 404 tested positive. (Delhi govt affidavit in HC)

HC also pulled up the govt for "tweaking" an ICMR advisory on RAT. The Delhi govt had said those having severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) have to first undergo RAT. ICMR said it was a deviation from its guidelines which recommend RT-PCR for such individuals.

HC questioned Delhi's over-reliance on RAT. ICMR said it never advocated replacing RT-PCR with RAT. The court also pointed out that while at least 11,000 RT-PCR tests can be carried out daily in Delhi, between July 15 and July 23, the daily avg remained below 6,000

Needs iteration, these crucial numbers are coming out due to Rakesh Malhotra vs GNCTD and others in the Delhi High Court. May have remained buried deep inside thick govt files otherwise. The court also reminded the Delhi govt today that it needs to regularly update its websites

Court asked Delhi govt to amend its orders dated July 5 and July 9 and do away with the clause that mandated 'RAT first' for SARI patients visiting healthcare centres. NCDC said it has recommended to the Delhi govt to increase RT-PCR tests rather than RAT