Trucking industry testing turns up eight coronavirus positives in Ann Twsp

By Nyan Hein 12 Oct 2020

Nyan Hein | DMG
12 October 2020, Sittwe

Eight truck drivers and drivers’ assistants on routes entering Ann Township, Arakan State, in recent days have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the township-level COVID-19 prevention, control and emergency response committee.

Department of Public Health staffers used rapid antigen test kits for the drivers and their assistants in order to obtain the results of their tests quickly. A total of 293 drivers and their deputies from 144 trucks were tested, eight of whom were found to have been infected with the virus, said U Ko Ko Myat, chairman of the Ann Township COVID-19 prevention, control and emergency response committee.

The coronavirus patients are said to be from Mandalay Region and the townships of Kyauktaw, Minbu, Padan, Gangaw and Yenangyaung, he added.

“The virus-positive patients are currently being treated at Ann Hospital. One of the patients is a resident of Kyauktaw and he was transferred to Kyauktaw Hospital,” U Ko Ko Myat said.

Last week, 73 drivers and assistants were tested at the Sittwe highway terminal, four of whom were found to be coronavirus-positive. When another 30 drivers were tested at the Kyaukphyu highway gate, another four were infected with the virus, according to the Arakan State Department of Public Health.

As of October 11, there were 1,981 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Arakan State, with 1,639 recovered patients discharged from hospitals and nine dead, according to Rakhine COVID-19 Watch.