Eight cases of Covid-19 Omicron XBB.1.16 variant reported in Myanmar

By Admin 04 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
4 May 2023, Sittwe

Eight cases of the Covid-19 Omicron XBB.1.16 subvariant have been recorded in Myanmar, according to a May 3 announcement from the junta-controlled Health Ministry.

One of the XBB.1.16 infections is an “imported” cases and the rest are local transmissions, according to the ministry. A total of 155 Covid-19 cases have been recorded over the past month.

The Ministry of Health has warned that the XBB.1.16 variant is more infectious than previous strains.

“It is around 20 times more infectious than previous variants. The World Health Organization also estimates that the fatality rate can be higher. People must wear masks and wash their hands for at least 20 seconds,” said a Health Ministry official.

Those who have received the Covid-19 vaccine can also catch the new variant, but vaccination can reduce the severity of symptoms, said the Health Ministry.

While the Health Department is providing free Covid-19 shots in towns in Arakan State, many people are not bothering to get vaccinated and are no longer following Covid-19 regulations, said one resident.

“I see posters on the way to the market urging people to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, but people don’t care much now. Previously, people would receive Covid-19 shots, but they are not now. They don’t wear masks either,” said Ma Aye Moe Wai from Mingan Ward in Sittwe.