Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Region Prepares Temporary Hospitals to Tackle Rise in COVID-19 Cases
By Salai Thant Zin 23 September 2020
Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region — Ayeyarwady Region Public Health Department is planning to expand health care for COVID-19 patients as cases rise in the region.
Ayeyarwady Region has reported 143 COVID-19 patients, of whom 23 have recovered and the rest are receiving treatment at district and township hospitals.
“We are trying to contain coronavirus in Ayeyarwady Region. And we have adopted plans to provide treatment at district-level hospitals if COVID-19 cases increase despite our efforts,” said Dr. Than Tun Aung, the department’s deputy director-general.
On Wednesday morning 143 COVID-19 cases were reported across the region’s 21 townships.
Only Myanaung, Zalun, Kyaiklat, Yekyi and Ngapudaw townships are yet to report COVID-19 cases. There have been over 700 people who have had direct contact with COVID-19 patients, while 7,000 others are in isolation at home or in quarantine centers.
Pathein, Pyapon, Maubin, and Kyaunggon have suffered the highest numbers of cases, with the regional capital, Pathein, reporting 16 COVID-19 cases on Monday.
“There are 50 COVID-19 patients at Pathein Hospital: 24 at the main hospital and 26 at the newly extended traditional medicine clinic. They are responding well to treatment,” said Dr. Than Min Htut, medical superintendent of the 500-bed Pathein Hospital.
The health department says it plans to turn Pathein University of Computer Studies, Pathein Football Academy and a football pitch into temporary hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients. The health authorities in Maubin, Hinthada, Myaungmya and Labutta are also preparing temporary hospitals.
Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko
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