Hospitals in Mon State have been preparing an estimated 800 beds for presumptive (suspected) COVID-19 patients.
Dr. Tun Aung Kyi, Head of Mon State Public Health Department, told the Mon News Agency, “It is already planned to be able to admit 303 people from across the state. The other thing is, the state Chief Minister has planned to have enough facility space to quarantine up to 490 patients across the state, if in case, there is not enough space in the hospital.”
He added that each township has been adding more beds for patients with respiratory illness related to COVID-19.
Currently, there are two presumptive COVID-19 patients and ten quarantined cases in Mon State hospitals, according to the State Health Department.
“[People] who have to be quarantined in the hospital are not all suspected patients. If the person has a history of returning from foreign countries, he/she has to be separated,” clarified Dr. Tun Aung Kyi.
Samples from the COVID-19 suspected patients and two quarantined patients were sent to the laboratory to determine if they have the virus. One patient has tested negative for the virus, while the results for the others have not yet been completed.
The State Health Department has recommended all migrant workers returning to Myanmar observe a strict 14-day home quarantine and if they experience COVID-19 flu-like symptoms to report (by phone) their situation to local health authorities.
People who have returned from foreign countries are required to comply with the Ministry of Health and Sport’s instructions on Home Quarantine, emphasized the Mon State government office director U Myint Than Win.
Details regarding the compulsory home quarantine for returnees from foreign countries where there has been a COVID-19 outbreak were posted on the Mon State government social media platform on March 23.
“The public needs to follow the instructions issued by the Ministry of Health and need to adhere to all of the steps to ensure that Home Quarantine is thoroughly implemented,” said U Myint Than Win.
The Mon State Department of Public Health Assistant Director (Extended Vaccine/ Infection) Dr. Win Ba Ba Htay added that returnees from foreign countries are required to observe a strict home quarantine for 14 days.
The quarantine requires the returnee to stay in a separate room and maintain a minimum of 6 feet distance from all other family members, at all times..
According to the COVID-19 prevention measures statement, it is necessary to take care of personal hygiene, wash hands, and to avoid crowded places during the quarantining period, and immediately to report [flu-like] illness symptoms to local health departments.
As of March 24, there are ten individuals in quarantine in area hospitals and an estimated 5,500 in home quarantine throughout Mon State.
As of March 25, there have been three confirmed cases of COVID- 19 in Myanmar. 26 patients have been waiting for results from the laboratory, and available reports indicate approximately 238 presumptive cases.
