Two Covid-19 fatalities in Thandwe Township on July 11 and one in Kyaukphyu Township the same day brought the Arakan State death toll to a dozen during the pandemic’s ongoing third wave in Myanmar.  

The medical superintendent of Thandwe District Hospital confirmed that two Covid-19 patients — one man and one woman — succumbed to the disease on Sunday.

“She was hospitalized this morning. When she arrived at the hospital, she had low oxygen levels. And the patient seems to have had diabetes and high blood pressure.

Another one from Taungup Township was being treated in intensive care. He had been in the hospital for two days and had been receiving oxygen treatment since his arrival,” said Dr. Ye Win Tun, the medical superintendent of Thandwe District Hospital.

Currently, there are 61 confirmed Covid-19 patients being treated at Thandwe District Hospital and Ngapali Hospital, and six of them are receiving oxygen treatment, according to hospital officials.  

Ko Thet Lwin Phyo, a resident of Ngapali town who is assisting with Covid-19 prevention efforts there, said there were difficulties obtaining oxygen amid a pandemic-induced shortage.

“The government is working to ensure sufficient oxygen, but it is not enough. I am also worried about the shortage of oxygen,” he said.

Efforts are reportedly underway to install an oxygen generator to supply Thandwe District Hospital.

Meanwhile, a man with hypertension and diabetes died of Covid-19 at Kyaukphyu People’s Hospital on Sunday. The 56-year-old from Sane town was admitted to the hospital on July 9.

“The patient was transferred from the isolation ward to the emergency ward yesterday and died this morning,” said U Chan Myae Saw, an authority in the township.

Thirty-four coronavirus cases were reported from July 3 to 10 in Kyaukphyu Township, according to Kyaukphyu District General Hospital.

During the ongoing third wave of Covid-19, a total of 793 infections and 12 deaths were reported in Arakan State, according to the state’s Department of Public Health.