Locals in virus hot spot Maungdaw criticised as complacent

By DMG 11 Jul 2021

DMG Newsroom
11 July 2021, Maungdaw 

Despite up to five people dead of Covid-19 in Maungdaw Township this month, locals are still lax in adhering to preventive regulations and guidelines intended to curb the disease’s spread, according to the medical superintendent of Maungdaw District People’s Hospital, Dr. Nu Kaythi San. 

With two more Covid-19 patients in Maungdaw dying on Saturday, Dr. Nu Kaythi San urged those with symptoms of the virus to be proactive about seeking medical treatment early. 

“So far, up to five people have died from Covid-19 in Maungdaw. But people are still going out,” she said. “Some are treated at home and only return to the hospital at the last minute. There’s nothing we can do at that point. People need to come to the hospital from the beginning of the illness.” 

Saturday’s virus fatalities have been identified as a 50-year-old Muslim man from Thayet Ouk village and the wife of a policeman quarantined at Hla Phoe Khaung reception centre. 

“The Covid-19 outbreak is not unique to Maungdaw, but rather is common to every town and every country, so it is not shameful to be infected,” Dr. Nu Kaythi San stressed. 

“Most people do not dare to come to the hospital when they are sick. If infected patients do not want to come to the hospital, they should stay at home. Now they are going out [instead of isolating], which is making the disease worse.” 

With Maungdaw Township reporting several new Covid-19 cases daily, including among the ranks of border guard police, healthcare workers and immigration staff, some are calling for stricter preventive measures to be imposed. 

“Maungdaw Township needs to be locked down now,” said U Tun Hla Sein, a former Arakan State MP for Maungdaw. “Travel can be restricted by the township Covid-19 protection and prevention committee without the need for state government approval.” 

U Chit Htoo Naing, chairman of the Karuna Network, said there was a need to control the vessels and vehicles transporting goods from mainland Myanmar to Maungdaw. 

A total of 307 cases of Covid-19 were recorded as of July 10 in Maungdaw Township, where Covid-19 cases have been reported since early June. Ninety-four of those patients have been discharged from hospital. 

During the ongoing third wave of Covid-19 (from May 12 through July 10), a total of 793 infections and 12 related deaths were reported in Arakan State, according to the state’s Department of Public Health.