Covid-19: As cases and close contact traces rise, consumers in Sabah struggle to get self-testing kits

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

On Wednesday, Feb. 9, some shoppers reported difficulty obtaining even a single test kit given the rise in Covid-19 cases in the state.

Many are thought to have been forced to seek out the kits as they are either close or casual contacts of positive cases or show symptoms of infection such as mild fever and cough.

One shopper, Bev Joeman, said she had visited shops and pharmacies around Damai and Foh Sang near town, but could not find a single self-test kit.

“There are nine of us in the family and we need it as some of us are starting to have a slight fever and cough, while others have recently had occasional contact with a Covid-19 positive relative,” said she declared.

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

“The cases are increasing and these kits are out of stock…we are very concerned,” she said.

Another customer, Claudius Chan, posted on Facebook that she was also having trouble finding the kits in her home town of Beaufort.

She said buyers should make reservations before new stock arrives.

Zura Wong of Papar said many stores in his area were also facing a shortage of self-testing kits.

Some customers have resorted to placing their order through e-commerce platforms.

In Tuaran, notices were posted in many storefronts informing customers that test kits were out of stock.

Mariah Doksil, who also couldn’t get one of the kits, said she just had to stay calm and monitor her children’s health after a child in her son’s preschool class was recently tested positive.

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

She said they would go to the hospital or a private clinic for a check-up if a family member got sick.

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