Six cases of Covid-19 were reported in Sittwe, Taungup and Maungdaw townships on June 23, according to the Arakan State Department of Public Health.

Among those diagnosed with Covid-19 on Wednesday, two were prisoners in Taungup whose health status was detected during an attempted prison transfer.  

“Six people were found to be infected with the virus. Two prisoners from Taungup Prison were among those found to be diagnosed with the deadly virus. All infected patients are in good health,” said Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of the Arakan State Public Health Department.

Dr. Soe Win Paing warned people against large gatherings, and urged the public not to leave their homes unnecessarily, and to remain at least 6 feet apart and wear masks when going out is unavoidable.  

Dr. Nu Kaythi San, medical superintendent of Maungdaw District Hospital, told DMG that there were seven coronavirus patients in Maungdaw and two had been discharged from the hospital in good health.

“Two of the infected patients were discharged from the hospital. The rest are in good health. There are also people who are being tested for Covid-19 and they are quarantined,” she explained.  

U Hla Thein, spokesperson and attorney-general for the Arakan State Administration Council, told DMG that medical checkups are being carried out on entrants who illegally returned from Bangladesh in accordance with Covid-19 regulations at Sittwe’s Shwe Mingan border trade camp and the Maungdaw border trade camp.

Civil society organisations have urged authorities to suspend activities at border trade gates, and to pay heed to the health department’s precautions against coronavirus to prevent additional Covid-19 infections in Arakan State.

U Hla Thein told DMG that quarantine centres in Sittwe have not been reopened for now, but an old Sittwe University building has been prepared for such a purpose if infection numbers rise to a level where it is deemed necessary.