Tanzania raises doubts on imported COVID-19 test kits after non human samples test positive

One of the main challenges many countries are grappling with right now is the shortage in COVID-19 test kits. Of the many challenges at this moment, it is hard to imagine that available test kits could be the weak link in the fight against the virus.

Media reports have quoted Tanzania’s President pointing out that some imported COVID-19 test kits are fake. This comes after animal and fruit samples using the test kits taken to the lab emerged positive for the coronavirus.

“The samples from the pawpaw and the goat tested positive for COVID-19. This clearly states that it was likely that some people were being tested positive when in fact they were not infected by the Coronavirus” news reports quote President John Magufuli.

“Are we now supposed to quarantine goats and fruits? If a sample from a goat, which turned positive it means that something is not adding up,” he said further.

While some say there is a possibility of technical errors in the test kits, others highlight that the possibility of wrongdoing at the laboratories should not be undermined.

As officials look into the incident as ordered, President Magufuli believes there is more than meets the eye.

“There is something happening. I said before we should not accept that every aid is meant to be good for this nation,” says the President.

Weeks after recording its first positive COVID-19 case, Tanzania now has close to 500 confirmed cases with 16 deaths and 167 recoveries.

Mimi Mefo Info

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