Exploring COVID-19 Cases And Lack Of Oxygen, Myanmar Military Regime Announces Lockdown

Illustration of COVID-19 patient burial. (Wikimedia Commons/Behzad Alipour)

JAKARTA - Myanmar's military regime will impose a nationwide lockdown next week, increasing the number of public holidays from two to five and imposing official holidays from July 17 to July 25 to contain the spread of COVID-19 amid a spike in cases of the third wave of infections.

Launching Worldometers, as of Thursday, July 15, Myanmar recorded a total of 212,545 cases of COVID-19 infection with the death toll reaching 4,346 people, while 153,609 patients were declared cured.

In an order signed by the Secretary of the State Administration Council (SAC), the Myanmar military regime designated two working days, July 20 and 22 as public holidays to effectively carry out prevention, control, and treatment activities.

In addition to Eid al-Adha, next week Myanmar will also have Martyrs' Day (19 July) and Waso Full Moon Day (23) as official holidays, as quoted by The Irrawaddy Friday, 16 July.

The Central Committee for the Prevention, Control, and Treatment of COVID-19, which is now chaired by the leader of the Myanmar military regime, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, also said the public must comply with the rules set by the committee to effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the national holiday.

People were urged to stay in homes or dormitories, prohibited from traveling except for duties and funeral services. Only shops selling basic necessities, medicines, and medical supplies are allowed to open.

Burmese illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Ninjastrikers)

People should wear masks and protective gear whenever they go outside. The military regime warned that action would be taken against those who fail to comply with the rules.

Myanmar is in the midst of the third wave of coronavirus infections that began in late May. Since then, cases have been reported in 296 of the 330 municipalities, or 90 percent of all municipalities nationwide. The military regime has imposed stay-at-home orders in 74 townships, including in Yangon, Mandalay, and Sagaing counties as well as Chin and Shan states.

This condition is exacerbated by the lack of oxygen supply which has caused many COVID-19 patients to die since the beginning of this month. Daw Than Than Soe, chairman of the Yangon-based charity group Rights to Live, said it had been asked to transport more than double the number of bodies to Yeway and Kyisu cemeteries this week.

"More deaths are imminent. We haven't been able to help everyone who asks for help from us. They ask for medical oxygen for patients, but we don't have enough resources," she said softly.

As Myanmar grapples with a third wave of the deadly coronavirus, lack of medical oxygen has become the country's biggest killer.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing chairing a meeting of the Myanmar military regime. (Source: gnlm.com.mm)

In June, the number of people who died from COVID-19 reached 117. But in the first two weeks of July, the death toll had reached 847. Crematoriums in Yangon and elsewhere were filled with coffins.

The healthcare system, which was affected by the February 1 military coup, prompted health workers to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), forcing many patients to undergo treatment at home and lack medical oxygen.

In response, the military regime has ordered oxygen factories in Yangon and other cities not to refill oxygen cylinders for individuals. On the night of July 13, junta troops opened fire in the air to disperse crowds queuing for oxygen at a factory in Yangon's South Dagon Township.

The implementation of a curfew from dusk until dawn has caused many COVID-19 patients to die because they cannot access oxygen and medical care on time.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.