COVID-19 cases now at 16 in Myanmar, high-risk areas under lockdown

The woman, the 16th confirmed COVID-19 infection in the span of 10 days, was admitted to North Okkalapa General Hospital on March 31 as a person under investigation, as she was suffering from fever and experience tiredness.

Her swab sample was sent to the National Health Laboratory on the same day. The patient will be transferred to Wai Bar Gi Hospital for medical treatment. The health ministry says she is in good health although she is suffering from diabetes.

Fifty-five other people were also tested for COVID-19 but all the results were negative, according to the National Health Laboratory.

Yangon International Airport restricted the public’s access to the terminal buildings and only allowed travellers with valid air tickets and staff on duty to enter starting March 29. Anyone seeing off or welcoming passengers will not be allowed into the airport premises in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The latest case comes shortly after a medical worker at the International SOS (ISOS) Clinic Yangon, a private clinic providing healthcare services to foreigners in Yangon, tested positive for COVID-19 on March 31.  

ISOS has since been closed and the Inya Lake Hotel, which it is located in, is also locked down and being disinfected.

Meanwhile, detailed discussions are being made to quarantine its guests and employees, who are still at the hotel, said Yangon Region Health Department Head and Deputy Director General Dr Tun Myint.

Further procedures are being requested from Yangon Region Government, said Mayangone township Yangon Region Hluttaw MP U Yan Shin.

On March 30, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that Myanmar will be locked down only if needed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“For the benefit of the country, a community quarantine will be imposed only where it is necessary,” she said in a televised address to the nation.

She added that once a community is locked down, the new committee headed by Vice President U Myint Swe would ensure there are no shortages of food, medicine or other essentials.