First cases of coronavirus infection in Myanmar

(Patria) - Myanmar has confirmed the first cases of coronavirus in two men who returned from Great Britain and the USA.

An investigation is underway to identify the people with whom those positive for the virus have come into contact since their return to the country.

Myanmar has so far been the most populous country in the world without registered cases of coronavirus infection, despite sharing a border with China.

After it was announced that COVID-19 is present in their country, residents of Myanmar began to panic-buy food and other essential items.

The country closed its borders last week, and mass gatherings, including Buddhist New Year celebrations, were banned. Restaurants are closed, but catering facilities are still open.

The fact that Myanmar is one of the last countries in the world to be affected by the pandemic was attempted to be explained by government spokesman Zaw Htay, citing the 'diet and lifestyle of Myanmar's residents' as the reason, while many others attributed the favorable situation to Buddhism, which is practiced there. However, some doctors claim that it is simply a matter of rare testing of the population of 51 million.

Doctors fear the spread of infection because Myanmar has one of the weakest health systems in the world, where many services rely on volunteer efforts and humanitarian organizations.

 

(data source Reuters)