Surveillance and investigation of COVID-19

Updates at 8 pm; 8 March 2020

1. The Ministry of Health and Sports is closely monitoring and conducting surveillance at international gateways, at the public hospitals, community-based monitoring and private healthcare facilities.

2. In doing so,

(a) a 26-year-old man living in Latha Township, Yangon, arrived back from Thailand to Myanmar on 28 February. He began suffering fever, cough and headache on 2 March. He was taken to Yangon General Hospital on 7 March, and transferred to the Waibargi hospital where he was quarantined as the person under investigation. His specimens will be taken to the National Health Laboratory in Yangon for laboratory tests. He is not found with symptoms of acute respiratory diseases.

(b) An 18-year-old girl who was studying in Bangkok, Thailand, returned home at Hpa-an Township in Kayin State on 6 March. She began suffering fever and cough on 7 March. She was quarantined as a person under investigation at Hpa-an hospital on 8 March. Her specimens will be taken to the National Health Laboratory in Yangon for laboratory tests. She is not found with symptoms of acute respiratory diseases.

(c) A 25-year-old assistant male doctor at ICU of Mandalay General Hospital began suffering fever and tonsillitis on 7 March. He was not found with the symptoms of acute respiratory diseases. However, he gave medical treatments to a 35-year-old man from Wetlet Township , Sagaing Region, who was quarantined as person under investigation at Kandawnadi hospital beginning 6 March. Specimens of doctor will be taken to the National Health Laboratory in Yangon for laboratory tests.

(d) A 24-year-old pregnant woman from Shwepyitha Township, Yangon, began suffering fever, cough and trouble breathings beginning 5 March. She was taken to the Insein General Hospital on 6 and 8 March. Although she never visited the COVID-19 infected areas, she was found with acute respiratory disease, and that was quarantined as a person under investigation since 8 March. Her specimens will be taken to the National Health Laboratory in Yangon for laboratory tests. She was not found with symptoms of acute respiratory diseases.

(e) A 52-year-old Korean man who lives in Seoul, South Korea, arrived in Myanmar via Bangkok on 4 March. He began suffering fever and sore throat beginning 7 March. He was taken to the Yangon General Hospital on 8 March. His specimens will be taken to the National Health Laboratory in Yangon for laboratory tests. He was not found with symptoms of acute respiratory diseases.

(f) A 38-year old man who is a native of Amarapura Township, Mandalay, arrived back to Myanmar from Gyal Gaung city of Yunnan province, China, on 28 February. He started suffering fever and trouble breathing one month ago. He had got haemoptysis on 8 March. He was admitted to the Mandalay General hospital on 8 March. Although he was not found contact with the suspected patients, he was diagnosed with acute respiratory diseases. He was transferred to Kandawnadi hospital for medical treatment as a person under investigation. His specimens will be taken to the National Health Laboratory in Yangon for laboratory tests. He was not found with symptoms of acute respiratory diseases.

3. Until 8 March afternoon, the results from NHL have shown that—

(a) a 30-year-old women, a native of Hakha Township, Chin State, is now at Waibargi hospital

(b) a 40-year-old, living in Minhla Township of Magwe Region, is under investigation at Linkal Station hospital.

(d) a 35-year old man at Kandawnadi hospital

(e) a 71-year-old man who lives in Mahaaungmyae Township, Mandalay, and at Kandawdnadi

(f) a 30-year-old man, living in Thakayta township, Yangon, is under investigation at Waibargi hospital
They are tested negative of COVID-19.

4. A 26-year-old man who had close contact with a confirmed patient in Singapore and his spouse 29-year. They were also found negative after the second tests.

5. Until 6 pm 8 March, a total of 6 patients are being given medical treatments at the respective hospitals.

6. A pilot reported 13 Myanmar citizen who lived in Daegu City, South Korea, landed at Yangon International Airport on 8 March. They were found with neither fever nor other acute respiratory diseases. They had no contact with the confirmed patients. They have been kept under hospital quarantine at women and children hospital in South Okkalapa Township and Waibargi Hospital for investation.

7. Although there is no laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 until 8 March , the ministry is conducting round-the-clock surveillance in upward momentum. As the COVID-19 is spreading in 94 countries, people are suggested to strictly follow health awareness of the Ministry of Health and Sports on prevention of the disease. —MOHS

(Translated by Aung Khin)