The government has launched a manhunt for 140 Covid-19 patients who are on the run after testing positive for the virus.
Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi sounded the alarm on Friday, May 29 at Afya House when she explained the circumstances in which they went missing.
The patients who were from Eastleigh, Kawangware and Mvita could not be traced for isolation after they gave wrong contact information during the mass testing exercise.
The trend had been noted as early as Sunday, May 24 but the extent of the danger had not been evaluated.
“We have noticed a disturbing trend while conducting our targeted testing where some individuals who provide wrong contact and telephone numbers during testing,” Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman told reporters on May 25.
“The consequence of not being traced and quarantined when having tested positive for coronavirus can be disastrous since you are also exposing your loved ones,” Aman warned.
The 140 individuals could be moving around their communities unaware of their status and spreading the virus.
The ministry on May 29 stated that the government would eventually nab them.
“Most of them are from areas we run mass testing in, like Eastleigh, Old Town and Kawangware. We will catch up with them,” Health Director General Patrick Amoth assured.
“I want to remind such people that Nairobi and Mombasa are currently the counties with the highest number of infections. Sneaking out of these areas is equivalent to sneaking the virus into the counties.
"Those engaged in this practice may think it is heroism, but you may just have taken the virus to your family or friends,” the Ministry of Health warned.
The escapees may cause an upsurge in the number of infections, especially since the ministry noted that Kenyans now seem to have thrown caution to the wind.
Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi observed that in certain areas, boda boda operators supermarkets and banking halls no longer adhere to the Covid-19 safety guidelines.
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