Sittwe elders cite weak adherence to COVID-19 rules as Arakan State’s death toll hits 31

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 08 Dec 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
8 December 2020, Sittwe 

As the number of coronavirus-related fatalities in Arakan State has surpassed 30 in recent days, town elders in Sittwe said lax adherence to public health regulations was to blame for at least some of the deaths reported since an outbreak that began in mid-August.  

U Maung Thar Sein, chair of the city of Sittwe’s town elders association, said authorities needed to push residents to adhere to the regulations imposed by the Ministry of Health and Sports.  

“I noticed the people are weak in complying with the health regulations. So, the government needs to carry out some activities to push the people to follow the regulations,” he said.  

“Wearing a mask can prevent not only COVID-19 but also other infectious diseases,” he added. 

A 73-year-old woman from Ponnagyun Township, who received medical treatment at Sittwe General Hospital after she tested positive for COVID-19, died on Tuesday morning, according to a report released by the Department of Public Health in Arakan State. 

Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of the state’s Department of Public Health, said the deceased had hypertension and was admitted to Sittwe General Hospital on November 30, when she was provided supplemental oxygen therapy.   

“The fatality rate in Arakan State has reached 31, but it is lower than 1% of positive cases,” he said.  

As infection and mortality rates have increased in Arakan State recently, the state government and civil society organisations worked jointly on a campaign distributing face masks and shields on November 23.    

A total of 3,818 COVID-19 cases were reported in Arakan State and 3,482 of them were discharged from their respective hospitals as of December 8, according to the state’s Health Department.  

Positive coronavirus cases in Myanmar as of Monday evening totalled 100,431 and the fatality count was 2,132, the Ministry of Health and Sports said.