Covid-19: As cases and close contact traces rise, Sabah consumers find it hard to get self-test kits

KOTA KINABALU: Consumers in Sabah are claiming that there is a shortage of Covid-19 self-test kits in the market.

On Wednesday (Feb 9), some buyers reported trouble getting even one test kit in view of the rising Covid-19 cases in the state.

It is believed many have been forced to look for the kits as they are either close or casual contacts of positive cases, or are showing some symptoms of infection such as mild fever and coughing.

One buyer, Bev Joeman, said she visited shops and pharmacies around Damai and Foh Sang near the city but could not find even one self-test kit.

“There are nine of us in the family and we need them because some of us are starting to have mild fever and cough, while others recently had casual contact with a Covid-19-positive relative,” she said.

She added that after searching at several other places, she managed to get five self-test kits.

“The cases are rising and these kits are going out of stock... we are quite concerned,” she said.

Another customer, Claudius Chan, posted on Facebook that she also had a hard time trying to find the kits in her hometown of Beaufort.

She said buyers had to make bookings prior to the arrival of new stocks.

Zura Wong, from Papar, said many shops in her area also faced a shortage of self-test kits.

Some customers resorted to ordering them through e-commerce platforms.

In Tuaran, notices went up in numerous storefronts to inform customers that the test kits were out of stock.

Mariah Doksil, who also could not get any of the kits, said she had to just keep calm and monitor her children's health after one child in her son’s preschool class recently tested positive.

“I will try to look for the kits again tomorrow and at the same time check if any one of us (shows any symptoms),” said the mother of three.

She said they will go to the hospital or a private clinic for a check-up if anyone in the family falls ill.

Sabah recorded a total of 3,333 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday.