COVID-19 is on the rise in Mon State, with many people testing positive for the disease, health authorities said.

 

Dr Wutmone, deputy head of Mon State Public Health Department, told NMG that more than half of those who had contact with a confirmed case were shown to have acquired the virus after testing. Further, many of these cases were asymptomatic, she explained.

 

"We can definitely say that the infection rate is rising rapidly."

 

Since early November, Mawlamyine, Thaton and Kyeikhto townships have been hotspots in Mon State, according to health officials.

 

On November 29, 143 cases were confirmed in Mon State.

 

Medical facilities in Mawlamyine and Thaton towns are being expanded in an effort to keep up with the increase in transmissions.

 

Dr Than Oo, head of Thaton Public Health Department, said since they're accepting cases from four townships in Thaton District they began increasing their facilities early this month. "We are receiving positive cases between the ages of 5 and 50. And we're sending anyone under five and over 50 to Mawlamyine. We are also sending all critical patients to Mawlamyine Public Hospital."

 

Health authorities are urging anyone with symptoms, especially loss of smell, to get tested at the hospital.

 

To control the outbreak in Mon State, everyone who returns from other regions and states are being quarantined for seven days and tested for the virus.

 

Since the pandemic began until December 7, there's been 1,660 confirmed cases in Mon State. Thirteen have died of the disease.