Rohingya refugees at high risk of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

Abstract

workers, it might not be possible to provide adequate services to the refugees without increasing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; health-care workers are at the most risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. 8 Limited financial aids and overcrowded and unhealthy living conditions can make their situation worse. 9 A study from May 2020, showed that COVID-19 symptoms are highly prevalent in Cox's Bazar, especially in refugee camps. 4 Another study from June, 2020, showed that a largescale outbreak is likely to happen after the introduction of the virus to the camps. 10 Bangladesh declared the Cox's Bazar areas near the Rohingya refugee camps as the first red zone (an area considered to be at very high risk for an outbreak) for COVID-19 on June 6, 2020. Thus, to reduce further spread of SAR-CoV-2, more attention is urgently needed on adequate and effective interventions, including increasing awareness about COVID-19 among Rohingya refugees. Otherwise, the Rohingya refugees and the host community are likely to be heavily affected by COVID-19.We declare no competing interests.

Translational Strategies to Control and Prevent Spread of COVID-19 in the Rohiynga Refugee Camps in Bangladesh

“…Given that there are limited testing facilities in the camps, the number of COVID-19 positive cases among Rohingya refugees may be higher than reported [20,21].…”

“…They are also stigmatized by society in general and by healthcare workers in particular [23]. Stigmatization and discrimination can increase camp dwellers mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and stress [21]. Moreover, the stigmatization and discrimination experienced by camp-dwellers can adversely impact their healthcare-seeking behaviors, which has negative implications for the transmission of COVID-19 [26].…”

“…Failure to manage a crowd during the distribution of food and relief may increase the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 through both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients [28]. This is a documented concern amongst the Bangladeshi government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other development partners [5,20,21].…”

“…Despite awareness programs led by the Bangladeshi government and NGOs, misinformation about COVID-19 is widespread in the refugee camps [21]. This is potentially due in part to a lack of accurate and adequate information about the transmission and prevention of the disease [5,27,29].…”

COVID‐19 and the Indo–Pacific: implications for resource‐limited emergency departments

“…Modelling from a Papua New Guinean setting has demonstrated that physical distancing measures in that community were 60-70% less effective compared with Australia. 11 Public health responses across the region have already been complicated by extreme weather events and humanitarian crises. Examples include Cyclone Harold, a category 5 cyclone that recently affected the South Pacific, and the climbing infection rate in the worlds' largest refugee camp at Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh.…”