On Facebook and among civil society, criticism is mounting of the Arakan State military council, which has maintained that there is enough oxygen to meet the state’s medical needs as shortages due to the Covid-19 pandemic have been reported across Myanmar in recent days. 

Nearly 30 Covid-19 patients died in Arakan State in the three days from July 18-20, according to figures shown by the Arakan State-level State Administration Council. 

The Arakanese people have been urged to stay at home for two weeks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Arakan State, the United League of Arakan (ULA) said in a statement on July 20.

The death toll from Covid-19 is steadily rising in Arakan State, with multiple reported deaths due to lack of oxygen. 

Fatalities from the third wave of Covid-19 in Arakan State on Sunday surpassed the death toll of the pandemic’s first two waves combined. 

In some Arakan State villages, visitors have reportedly been restricted from entering and leaving to control and prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Some patients in Arakan State who have been infected with Covid-19 and are receiving treatment at hospitals say they have had difficulty accessing food and personal items.

Two monasteries in Sittwe have been placed on lockdown after monks at the separate facilities in the Arakan State capital tested positive for coronavirus on July 19. 

As a pandemic mitigation measure, vegetable and meat vendors at the Myoma Market in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township were temporarily relocated to Warit Taw Grounds, near the old town hospital, on July 17, according to the township development committee.

Maungdaw District Hospital in northern Arakan State is in need of oxygen supplies, according to the hospital’s superintendent, Dr. Nu Kaythi San.

With Covid-19 fatalities during the pandemic’s third wave in Arakan State rising to 31 on Friday, it appeared likely that by weekend’s end the death toll would surpass the statewide total, 37, of the first two waves of the virus combined. 

Facing charges of incitement and violating Covid-19 regulations, four Arakanese students on Friday demanded the swift conclusion of their case, with their vocal protestations outside the courthouse in Sittwe resulting in an altercation with the police escorting them. 

Two locals from Kyauksin village in Ann Township were injured in a landmine explosion and one victim’s leg was amputated, while the other was said to be at risk of losing his eyesight.

Residents of Lay Taung town in Arakan State’s Ramree Township are taking Covid-19 prevention into their own hands, rolling out a local regulation against overnight guests from other townships amid complaints that official efforts to combat the virus are virtually nonexistent. 

In response to spiking Covid-19 cases in Arakan State, the central market in the state capital Sittwe will temporarily be limiting hours to half days, according to the market’s management body. 

Six new coronavirus cases have been detected at Sinbawkaing IDP camp in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township since it was locked down due to a female IDP testing positive for Covid-19 on July 14. 

Twenty-six civilians have been reported missing and 24 others were killed in custody during some two years of clashes between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State, according to the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters group. 

A total of 1,151 people in Arakan State were infected with coronavirus as of July 16, and 29 people statewide have died during the pandemic’s third wave, according to data compiled by the Arakan State-level State Administration Council. 

Installation of oxygen generators has begun at an oxygen plant in Mrauk-U town, Arakan State, since July 14, said the Nan Yeik Garunar social welfare group, which is providing help securing oxygen supplies locally.