<span style="color: #222222;">The Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today reviewed the testing capabilities for COVID-19 in the Union Territory of J & K in view of the reports that there was a delay in declaring results of the COVID-19 tests. The Review was held through Video Conference with Senior J&K UT officers, Heads of Govt Medical Institutions and Colleges.<br />''<br />''The MOS urged the UT authorities to expedite the sample testing and reporting process of the COVID-19 tests so there is no delay and inconvenience to people. He urged the UT authorities to clear the backlog if any in testing of samples already collected. Dr. Singh also urged the UT administration and health authorities to improve and ramp up the facilities at the administrative quarantine centres in collaboration with the Deputy Commissioners of districts.<br />''<br />''The MOS was informed by the UT Financial Commissioner, Deptt of Health Shri Atal Dulloo that the UT of J&K was ranked second only to New Delhi in testing of samples of COVID 19. Shri Dulloo said that J&K was testing 8311 persons per million and this testing capability of the UT had been increased by about five times in the month of May itself. <br />''<br />''The Financial Commissioner said facilities were being ramped up further to not only increase the capacity in testing of samples but also to reduce the return time in declaring results of the tests so that people are not inconvenienced. He informed that the mortality rate in the UT was 1.8% and 49 % of the infected persons had recovered.<br />''<br />''The MOS was informed that capacity for testing was being enhanced in existing institutes and centres and adding capacity in new govt institutions. He said that additional equipment had already been ordered for this purpose.<br />''<br />''Shri Dulloo informed that a new ICMR App is now being used to decrease the turn around time in reporting and declaration of results of samples to about three days. This app reduces paperwork and declares results online. The MOS was informed that the UT had sufficient stocks of PPE kits, Masks, sanitizers and other equipment like ventilators and beds for patients.</span><br />