Daily statistics showing, in some instances, very low or no new Covid-19 cases in some districts in the country should not imply those regions are free from the virus and people everywhere in the country must remain vigilant, an official noted Wednesday, July 21.

The Ministry of Health's daily updates on new Covid-19 cases per district show zero cases in Rulindo, Nyaruguru, Ruhango, Nyamasheke and Rutsiro Districts on July 20.

Explaining the low figures in some regions, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Director-General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), on Wednesday told The New Times that all the regular data is for people who have gone to voluntarily test for the virus health facilities.

"If on a particular day people don’t go (for testing) even if they are suspected of Covid-19, it may mean zero cases confirmed but not zero Covid in the same district," he said.

"Generally, we observe that people in the main cities tend to go for testing more than those in remote locations."

As per the July 20 evening figures, Rubavu and Ngoma districts also posted seven new cases each while Rwamagana and Bugesera had one, each. On the same day, two women aged 83 (Huye) and 61 (Kigali) and nine men aged 83 (Nyanza), 80, 61, 44, 42 (Kigali), 75 (Bugesera), 69 (Rusizi), 65 (Muhanga) and 52 (Gicumbi) passed away due to the virus.

Nsanzimana added: "We strongly urge citizens of all districts to be vigilant. There is no single district with zero cases. Covid-19 and its new variants are spreading faster causing more severe cases than before."

The Covid-19 test positivity rate in the country has increased significantly according to statistics in the past few days.

A mass testing exercise is going on in eight Districts under lockdown with more than 198,800 people set to be tested for Covid-19.

Kigali City and eight Districts are currently under a 10-day lockdown, which was imposed last week to contain a record surge in new cases of Covid-19.