Monk with COVID-19 dies in Kyaukphyu, monastery under lockdown

By Kyaw Thu Htay 19 Nov 2020

Kyaw Thu Htay | DMG
19 November 2020, Sittwe

A monk who had tested positive for COVID-19 and was receiving treatment at Kyaukphyu District Hospital in Arakan State passed away on November 19 and his monastery has been subject to quarantine measures, according to the administrator of Kyaukphyu Township.

The 78-year-old monk from the Aung Myay Yadana Monastery in Kyaukphyu Town was admitted to the hospital on November 18 with respiratory issues and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. He died on November 19 while receiving treatment in the hospital’s intensive care unit, said the Kyaukphyu District Hospital superintendent, Dr. Ye Lwin Maung.

“It was a monk who came to our hospital following difficulties breathing. He tested positive for COVID-19. This morning [November 19], he found it difficult to breathe, his oxygen level dropped and he passed away,” said Dr. Ye Lwin Maung.

The monk, who had been a member of the monkhood for 31 years, also had diabetes and high blood pressure, the doctor said.

The Kyaukphyu Township administrator, U Soe Moe Kyaw, said the monastery had been put on lockdown following word of the positive case.

“The monastery had been lived in by only one monk and a layman. A layman and his wife have been quarantined. Rice and cooking oil were provided to the monastery by eight people from the district education department. So, those eight people have been quarantined at a designated place,” said the administrator.

There have been three COVID-19 deaths at Kyaukphyu District Hospital and 21 COVID-19 patients are currently receiving treatment there.

Elsewhere in Arakan State, Sittwe General Hospital has recorded seven deaths from COVID-19 to date; Maungdaw District Hospital has logged two; Buthidaung Township Hospital has had one; Mrauk-U People’s Hospital two; Kyauktaw Township Hospital seven; Pauktaw Township Hospital three; and Minbya Township Hospital one, totaling 26 deaths statewide.

There have been 3,265 COVID-19 patients in Arakan State and 2,977 have been discharged from hospitals after recovery. Currently, there are 288 patients receiving treatment at hospitals, according to figures made available by the Arakan State Public Health Department on November 17.