This archive report was first published on 20 July 2020.
As Kenya records its highest number of Covid-19 infections, concerns are growing over the long time it takes to release test results, exacerbating the risk of spreading the virus.
When the virus first struck in Kenya in March, test results were available within 24 hours. However, it now takes more than seven days to get results, leaving those tested to continue their daily lives and potentially infect others.
The lack of testing kits, staff, and the closure of testing centers have contributed to the situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the importance of testing in stemming the spread of the virus.
Kenya's government is facing a crisis due to a shortage of testing kits and reagents, particularly at a time when the number of positive cases is rising. On Saturday, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe announced 688 infections in a single day, with only 4,522 samples tested.
As of Friday, only 233,641 people had been tested against a target of one million. The closure of testing centers, including the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and Kenyatta National Hospital's Infectious Diseases Unit at Mbagathi, has left many without a clear understanding of where they can get tested.
Dr. Mamo Umuro, head of the National Public Health Laboratory, explained that they do not serve walk-in patients but instead send rapid response teams to people in quarantine and those identified as contacts of those who have the coronavirus.
Dr. Simon Kigondu, a gynaecologist and secretary-general of the Kenya Medical Association, noted that since the labs stopped testing, most Kenyans are unsure of where to get tested.
Kenya now has 20 operational laboratories approved by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board. However, the country has not kept pace with other nations in terms of testing, with South Africa having tested 2.2 million people and Uganda having tested 232,608 as of July 14.
