This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On June 5, 2020, Kenya's government stepped up its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in refugee camps, working in close collaboration with partners such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
During a press briefing, Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi announced 134 new positive cases in the country, with one case reported from the Daadab camp. She noted that areas with congregated populations, such as refugee camps, pose a significant risk and emphasized the need to implement measures to prevent transmissions.
“We do appreciate that areas such as Dadaab with congregated populations pose a risk. We are working with partners in camps, such as UNHCR, to ensure measures are put in place to prevent transmissions,” said Dr. Mwangangi.
Dr. Mwangangi highlighted that the Daadab refugee camp has adopted a community health strategy to help curb the spread of the disease. She urged Kenyans to adhere to the measures laid out by the government, including washing hands frequently, avoiding close contact, and wearing masks in public places.
The government has also urged county governments to upgrade their health facilities to deal with the anticipated spike in COVID-19 cases. Dr. Mwangangi appealed to counties to utilize the Ksh 5 billion already disbursed to them to upgrade their health facilities and ensure preparedness in key priority areas.
