Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal is dissatisfied with the length of time it takes to receive the results of samples tested by the National Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
“The tests are carried out by Kemri. We usually get results in 10 to 14 days because there is a pile of samples, ”Mr Lenolkulal said at a news conference in Maralal.
Because samples are shipped to Nairobi, those who have their samples taken must wait approximately 14 days for the results.
“Delays in results do not reflect our efforts to combat this scourge, and the responsibility for submitting test results rests with Kemri,” Lenolkulal added.
The governor acknowledged that Samburu County faces challenges in combating Covid-19 because it lacks its own specialized corona virus testing center.
Mr Lenolkulal revealed that the county intends to establish a Covid-19 testing center at Samburu Referral Hospital to aid in sample testing and the rapid release of results.
“We will soon establish a testing facility here in Samburu. “I believe such centers will be established in all counties across the country to reduce the time it takes for results to be released across the country,” he said.
Samburu County Health Minister Stephen Lekupe revealed that the county has tested a total of 2,484 samples since the corona virus was discovered in the country last year. Corona virus was discovered in 200 of those samples.
Lekupe went on to say that as of yesterday, Samburu County had recorded three Covid-19 deaths.
