A stake-driving ceremony for construction of a two-storey housing apartment for the employees from the Department of Health took place at the construction site in the compound of a public hospital in Pwintbyu Township, Magway Region this morning.

Water supply tasks are being carried out by the Department of Rural Development in four villages in Minbu Township, Magway Region to ensure availability of drinking water in summer.

A ceremony to provide cash and kind to internally displaced people from Ann Township, Rakhine State was held at the hall of a basic education high school in Phaai Anaut Village in Sedoktaya Township, Magway Region on 21 March.

Officials from the Department of Rural Development made field trips to construction of a rural water supply task and a rural road in Thazi Township, Mandalay Region on 21 March.

MYANMAR still claims to have avoided the corona-virus pandemic despite being surrounded by three countries battling  the  virus,  including  China  where  the  outbreak  started. As of Friday evening, 176 suspected cases have been tested since January, with none having  returned  a  positive  result,  according  to  the  gov-ernment. Additionally, 12 sus-pected cases are still awaiting test  results,  the  latest  health  ministry update said. Although no  confirmed  case  has  been  identified,  the  authorities  are  taking measures to prevent the virus from gaining a foothold in the country.

The first passenger train with South Korean-made passenger coaches aided with air-conditioners and air suspension left Mandalay for Myitkyina at Mandalay Railway Station yesterday afternoon. Union Minister U Thant Sin Maung and officials cordially greeted and presented gifts to the passengers of the Mandalay-Myitkyina 31 Up train that departed the statin at 1 pm.