This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
Published on May 5, 2020, the Kenyan government has intensified COVID-19 surveillance in refugee camps, with cases on the rise since last week.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi declared a lockdown in Dadaab and Kakuma camps, which host nearly half a million refugees from Somalia and South Sudan, a week ago.
Kenya has more than 490,000 refugees, mostly from Somalia, according to the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Health Director Dr. Patrick Amoth stated that capacity building for health workers serving the refugee population is ongoing to ensure they are covered in measures adopted to curb the spread of the disease.
"Together with our partners, including UNHCR, World Vision, Red Cross, and all other players, we have enhanced surveillance capacity in our refugee camps," Dr. Amoth said.
COVID-19 cases in the country jumped to 490 on Monday, with 25 new infections recorded in Mombasa and Nairobi.
Testing has already begun in Wajir to cover the Northern region.
Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of Health Dr. Mercy Mwangangi warned that there was an indication of a further increase in positive cases in the coming days.
"I dare to say these figures will continue to rise. Things are not back to normal," Dr. Mwangangi said.
She urged every citizen to be responsible and play their part in helping the government combat the spread of the virus that has claimed 24 lives in the country.
