BackgroundRe-settling in communities for Covid-19 survivors and their contacts following release from isolation facilities might be particularly challenging. Due to the enormous fear Covid-19 has caused in communities, returning individuals are likely to be socially discriminated, face financial hardships and have psychological difficulties as result of their exposure to Covid-19. Authorities in Uganda appreciate the looming difficulties and therefore seek evidence of what to consider when reintegrating Covid-19 survivors back into their communities. Rapid response questionWhat dimensions should be considered for reintegration of Covid-19 survivors and suspects into the communities? Findingsâ All reintegration efforts should be led by the national government â Reintegration is multi-dimensional, covering reinsertion in the community social structure, psychological recovery and financial recovery. â Integration efforts should start early when cases and suspects are still under isolation to prepare all the intervention targetâ Dimensions of reintegrationo Social reintegration mainly achieved by eliminating stigma. The government should disseminate facts about Covid-19 to the population, engage opinion leaders who should encourage their followers to welcome survivors, extensively publicise survivor voices and ensure the media practice evidence informed contextualised information. o Psychological integration: Psychological rehabilitation should start during isolation and treatment and should be delivered by mental health professionals. The government should set up a system to identify and support individuals with mental distress after they are discharged. o Economic reintegration: The government has to set up means of restoring livelihoods of individuals who have been affected by Covid-19. ConclusionThe Covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of fear and anxiety among the populace and therefore, they might reject the survivors, deny them income which might cause them more psychological distress on top of that caused Covid-19. It is necessary to rapidly set up robust systems to ensure reintegration of survivors into social structures and that they recover financially and psychologically.
