Thirteen new Covid-19 variant cases were reported between September 20 and 26 in Arakan State after several months of no reported cases in the state, according to a statement released by the junta-controlled Ministry of Health.

Five cases were recorded in Kyauktaw Township, two cases each were reported in Buthidaung and Sittwe townships, and one case each was confirmed in Rathedaung, Mrauk-U, Thandwe and Taungup, according to the Health Ministry.

“Virus cases are still reported in Arakan State. The public only cares about the severity of the infection and the number of deaths. The public lacks a lot of preventive measures regarding Covid-19,” said Ko Tun Hlaing, the in-charge of Rakhine Covid Watch.

The Department of Public Health has urged the public to get vaccinated against Covid-19, which can reduce the spread of the disease, its severity and its death rate amid an increasing number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in many parts of Myanmar.

“The government and charitable organisations need to re-examine the ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19. People should no longer be careless about the Covid-19 epidemic. The public should follow the virus-related regulations again,” Ko Tun Hlaing added.

Covid-19 cases have been climbing this month, and coronavirus-related deaths — a rare occurrence in the preceding months — are rising commensurately, according to health officials. On September 26 alone, 284 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in Myanmar, the Health

Ministry said.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak began in Myanmar in March 2020, the country had reported a total of 621,686 cases with 19,455 related fatalities as of September 26, according to the Health Ministry.