All schools in Paletwa Township, Chin State, have been closed since June 9 after COVID-19 cases were reported.
Schools in Sagaing Region’s Tamu and Kale townships and Chin State’s Tonzang, Hakha, Thantlang, Falam and Tedim townships were closed on June 7 after coronavirus cases were reported a week after schools reopened nationwide.
According to the junta-controlled health ministry, 528 cases were reported in Sagaing Region from Feb. 1 to June 4. Chin State saw 319 cases with six deaths in the same period.
A man from Myitwa village near the Indian border tested positive for coronavirus at Paletwa Township hospital on June 8.
Six others, including fellow villagers who accompanied him to the hospital and their boatman, tested positive, according to Paletwa residents.
Among those infected are two teachers and a student.
“The township education officer has instructed us to close the schools,” U Kyaw Win Naing, a teacher from Paletwa, told The Irrawaddy.
The officer instructed teachers to avoid traveling until further notice.
“A teacher said he does not know when the schools will reopen,” said a student’s father from Samee in Paletwa.
The seven COVID-19 patients are being treated in Paletwa and the authorities have sealed off the guesthouse they used.
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