The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) is studying plans to take random Covid-19 testing in other provinces other than Kigali city.

This was announced after the first phase of Covid-19 random testing was completed in Kigali city and its entry points on Friday, July 10.

It had kick-started a week ago with a target of testing 5000 people.

According to Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, the Director General of Rwanda Biomedical center, the assessment of the pandemic situation in the city of Kigali may direct them to other provinces.

"We are continuing to analyze the status of the Covid-19 pandemic in Kigali and it is in this context that the assessment of the results will determine whether we may launch the exercise in other provinces of the country too”, he told The New Times.

Commenting on the completed phase, Nsanzimana said that the taskforce was encouraged by the will of people to be tested.

"Many people turned willingly for testing, which was very encouraging. We had cases of people who were not randomly selected, but kept insisting that they get tested too. So, this implies collaboration among the citizens to combat the pandemic”, he added.

The random test’s provisional results as of Wednesday, July 8, indicated that there was no Covid-19 positive test identified so far.

Dr. Nsanzimana added that the final results will be available 24 hours after the tests were completed. Nsanzimana commended the Rwanda National Police for their facilitation to make the exercise run smoothly.

The exercise ended on July 10, at 3 pm when 5000 tests were completed. The testing sites were stationed at Amahoro stadium, Nyamirambo (Biryogo), Kicukiro (near IPRC), and various entry points to the city like Gitikinyoni, Rugende and Gahanga.