Health CAS Rashid Aman (pictured) has criticised the dangerous behaviour of issuing false contacts during targeted testing, saying it hurts efforts to trace those who test positive for coronavirus.
Speaking at Afya House on Tuesday, he urged Kenyans to continue observing the containment measures in place to curb the spread of the pandemic.
The matter of false contacts, which the ministry has mentioned in previous briefings, is linked to increased coronavirus numbers.
Some 62 people tested positive for coronavirus today as three were discharged.
The figure now pushes the national tally to 1,348. Out of the new cases, 45 were male.
Although the campaign faced hitches at the beginning such as low turnout, more citizens have come out for mass testing in Nairobi and Mombasa, which are listed as hotspots.
"This is commendable, and we continue to appeal to all Kenyans to come out and get tested," Dr Aman said.
"The true picture of this disease in our country will only be known through the tests we are currently conducting."
The new cases were spread across Nairobi (23), Mombasa (16), Kwale (eight) and Kiambu six), Kajiado (six) and Kitui (three).
Some of the hurdles in mass testing include residents' fear that should they test positive they will be required to pay for treatment and quarantine.
But Dr Aman insisted that the government will meet the charges for treatment and quarantine upkeep in a public facility.
"Any information to the contrary is false and misleading to Kenyans."
Dr Aman was joined by Transport CS James Macharia, who acknowledged that transport corridors are important in the containment of the virus spread.
Part of the government's orders to keep the virus at bay has been keeping a close eye at the borders.
The Tanzania and Somalia borders were closed, creating a near-diplomatic row with President John Magufuli. Some of the challenges were arising from testing protocols for truck drivers.
Numerous confirmed cases have also been those of the truck drivers, pushing more attention to the border stops.
On Friday, CS Macharia, his Tanzanian counterpart and regional commissioners from both countries signed a deal to streamline testing.
However, more such challenges are arising at the border with Uganda at Malaba and Busia.
The area is characterised by unending queues of trucks stretching up to 50km.
Kenyans warned against giving false contacts during targeted Covid-19 testing
Health & Science
By Jael Mboga| 3yrs ago | 2 min read
.
Trending Now
- Chlorpromazine might be the new drug in town
- Hospitals ask NHIF cardholders to pay cash over Sh29b debt row
- My son gave me one of his kidneys to save my life
- KMPDU holds firm on doctors' strike despite government's internship plan
- Hospitals ask NHIF cardholders to pay cash over Sh29b debt row
- Sakaja's school feeding project runs into trouble
- Erectile dysfunction: Deciphering science behind blood flow in penile function
- Hospitals discharge patients as doctors' strike enters fourth day
- Ruined lives of Mathare's poor as illicit brewers mint millions
- Achieving women: Making a mark in neurosurgery
.
Popular this week
- Hospitals ask NHIF cardholders to pay cash over Sh29b debt row
- Chlorpromazine might be the new drug in town
- KMPDU holds firm on doctors' strike despite government's internship plan
- Achieving women: Making a mark in neurosurgery
- My son gave me one of his kidneys to save my life
- Erectile dysfunction: Deciphering science behind blood flow in penile function
- Defying odds in championing climate change mitigation efforts
- Fight against malaria faces fresh threat from new deadly mosquito species
- Are you sitting too long in your office job? Study offer tips
- Brian Chira is dead
Previous article
Next article
.
Similar Articles
.
Latest Articles
Health & Science
By Rosa Agutu
2024-03-18 22:00:00
Health & Science
By David Njaaga
2024-03-18 15:27:42
Health & Science
2024-03-18 00:00:00
Health & Science
2024-03-17 20:00:00
.
Recommended Articles
By Standard Team
2024-03-17 20:00:00
By The Conversation
2024-03-17 18:05:00
By Mercy Kahenda
2024-03-17 14:10:00