Conflicting test results emerge of IHC employee

Initially tested positive for coronavirus on May 2, a second test found him to be negative

A private laboratory test result of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) official who had earlier tested positive for coronavirus came out in the negative, it emerged on Wednesday. The tests were conducted over a period of two days.

Arif Mehmood, an official of the Writ Branch of the IHC, was initially tested for the virus at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). According to a circular issued by the high court on May 2, his test came out positive.

However, his test dated May 3, conducted at the government-authorised Islamabad Diagnostic Centre, came out negative.

Following the first test result, the high court premises was shut down and the area was disinfected on the orders of the Islamabad deputy commissioner.

Only officials who were to attend to urgent matters were allowed to come to court the following Monday and Tuesday. They were directed to follow all safety precautions.

The staff of the Duty Additional Registrar and Control Room was also asked to come, with the former being directed to submit a compliance report.