18 Aug
WE have seen a single locally transmitted case of novel coronavirus, nearly one month after the first case in mid-July.
A 26-year old woman from Sittway, Rakhine State, was diagnosed with the coronavirus. She had no history of travel abroad nor close contact with COVID-19 suspect.
The local transmission indicates that there is the possibility for community transmission, and which is why we need to continue with the great work we have been doing as a community to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The local transmission happened at a time while our people are inconsistent in following the health guidelines as our country has contained the coronavirus infection to a certain extent.
It is important for the people to remain calm and keep informed, and to follow health guidelines including social distancing and good hand and respiratory hygiene to prevent further infection in the community.
Social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks have been critical in helping us lower rate of infection in efforts to protect ourselves, our families and the most vulnerable in our community from the virus.
Since May, our country reported 276 cases of Coronavirus infection, with six deaths. Of them, 321 have been discharged from hospital after having recovered from the infection.
Of course, our country has contained the coronavirus infection to a certain extent due to sacrifices made by all people, along with relentless administrative actions.
Unfortunately, it has been found today that people are not following the public health guidelines, though the authorities are enforcing these rules to keep the entire public safe.
In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic is also a natural disaster, and those who do not comply with the law can face fines and even prison time under Section-2 (b) of the National Disaster Management Law.
Under the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases Law, those who fail to disclose being sick with Coronavirus could face punishment.
If we can effectively contain the spread of the coronavirus, we hope that a second wave of the virus, which is expected to resurge in the next one to two months, can be prevented.
We encourage all local authorities, especially in Rakhine State, to continue to stay up to date on developments through health officials, local communities, volunteers and media.
To effectively stop the source of infection, we need to put in place aggressive, adequate and immediate measures.
