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COVID-19 and Monsoon Preparedness and response for the Rohingya refugee camps and host communities in Cox’s Bazar District Weekly Update #24 | 14 to 20 August 2020

Countries
Bangladesh
+ 1 more
Sources
ISCG
Publication date

Highlights

“Before going to the health post, I had some misconceptions about coronavirus. I thought that it is just a propaganda and it will not affect Muslims. But now, I understand that it is not a fake story. It is a real risk. Anyone can be infected by coronavirus. If we follow the advice, which I heard from the audio messages, we can save our lives.” – Emam Hossain, a 35-year-old Rohingya refugee in Ukhiya.

Emam is one of many Rohingya refugees who heard a COVID-19 audio message at a health facility in the camps. Communications with Communities (CwC) Working Group partners identified health facilities in the camps and nearby host communities as a strategic point for information dissemination and have been broadcasting messages on COVID-19 symptoms, risk prevention, and seeking treatment, to dispel misinformation in the community. Almost all health facilities are now playing audio/video messages, which is significantly raising awareness and understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Key COVID-19 figures this week

  • 89 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the refugee camps, and 3,858 cases in the host community
  • 0 Rohingya refugees in quarantine who were in contact with a COVID19 suspected or confirmed case, and 1,021 host community members
  • 13 Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) Isolation Treatment Centres (ITCs) are operational, with the addition of a new centre this week
  • 6 Rohingya refugee fatalities due to COVID-19, and 62 fatalities of host community members
  • 25 Rohingya refugees in isolation who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 539 host community members
  • 90+ Participants convened to listen to Rohingya and other women leaders, at an event focusing on women as first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic