Nearly everyone who tested positive during an outbreak have fully recovered in the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) area, Col Laphai Hing Wawm, secretary of the COVID-19 Control and Response Committee, told NMG.

During the outbreak, which began in March and peaked in July, about 2,200 transmissions were detected, he said. In Mai Ja Yang, there were 2,000 cases, while in Laiza there were only 59. ''Of these, 75-80 percent have recovered," explained Laphai Hing Wawm.

KIO imposed strict measures to contain the spread of the pathogen, including closing schools and churches in affected areas. With no new cases reported, the ethnic armed organisation lifted the lockdown in Laiza on August 26 and in the internally displaced person (IDP) camps Jay Yang, Hpong Lon Yang and Donbom.

"There are no new cases in our area, but people must continue to follow COVID-19 regulations. In Laiza, everyone was tested three times and no one tested positive, so we opened it," he said.

People still have to practice social distancing, gatherings aren't allowed, face masks are mandatory for everyone and restaurants are only allowed to offer take-out services.

According to the committee, during the outbreak there were also 16 cases in N'ba P, 26 in Sadon, 29 in Brigade 1, 154 in Hpakant, 2 in Inndawgyi (Brigade 9 ), 30 in Hukawng (Brigade 2) and 7 in Shin Bwi Yang.

In Laiza, a 42-year-old woman suffering from diabetes and high blood tension died on August 3 after testing positive on July 29.