First fatality of third wave reported as Arakan’s Covid-19 cases rise to 119

By DMG 28 Jun 2021

DMG Newsroom
28 June 2021, Sittwe 

Arakan State recorded its first fatality linked to Myanmar’s third wave of coronavirus infections as the total number of cases over recent weeks rose to 119 on Monday, but a state military council spokesman said schools and border trade gates would remain open for the time being.  

A 35-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with Covid-19 and was diabetic died on Monday morning, according to Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of the Arakan State Department of Public Health. 

“We are testing some people who came in contact with the female victim,” he told DMG. 

With the statewide coronavirus case count reaching 119 on June 28, infections have been concentrated in Sittwe, Maungdaw and Thandwe townships.  

In Thandwe, a schoolteacher tested positive for the virus on June 24, followed by three of her family members. But with confusion ensuing at area schools and parents concerned for their children’s well-being, Arakan State military council spokesman U Hla Thein told DMG classes would continue.  

“It is not necessary to close schools at the moment. We will close schools if it is required,” he said. “We have provided regulations on preventing Covid-19 for the teachers and students. We also made an instruction that anyone who is sick should not come to school.” 

Dr. Soe Win Paing has repeatedly warned people against large gatherings, urging the public not to leave their homes unnecessarily and to remain at least 6 feet apart and wear masks when going out is unavoidable. But compliance with Covid-19 regulations at schools remains a concern, according to parents. 

“At the school where my daughter is attending, there are children who wear masks and some who do not. She also said that there were four students sitting on a bench. We are worried about sending our child to school,” said U Aung Kyi Moe, the father of a student in Sittwe. 

U Hla Thein has previously told DMG that the state’s border trade gates would also stay open, despite civil society organisations urging their temporary closure in the face of the rising coronavirus case count. 

U Hla Thein, who is also the attorney-general for the Arakan State Administration Council, said Covid-19 testing, medical check-ups and quarantine procedures are in place along the border with Bangladesh as well as at Sittwe’s Shwe Mingan border trade camp.