Goma, DRC, March 31, 2020 — An IRC international staff member working on the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member immediately presented himself to a health clinic upon showing symptoms and has been in isolation for the past 5 days. He is being treated and in good condition. We are in regular contact with our colleague, his family and his doctors and will continue to follow up on his health care and provide needed support to him and his family.
The IRC immediately worked to identify contacts of the staff member and advised them to self isolate. We are in constant communication with these contacts and will work to get them the care they need should they fall ill.
The IRC has launched a comprehensive response and mitigation plan to COVID-19 across more than 40 countries worldwide. Our number one priority is to ensure the safety of our staff and the communities in which we work. Our other key areas of focus are to ensure the continuation of our life-saving programming as much as possible and to mitigate and respond to the spread of coronavirus.