First Covid-19 case reported in Rakhine IDP camp

Narinjara News, 16 October 2020

An elderly woman, taking shelter in an IDP camp of Kyauktaw township, 80 miles north of Rakhine State capital city of Sittwe,  tested positive for Covid-19.

It is the first Covid-19 case, recorded on 14 October, in an  IDP camp across Arakan State.

The infected woman is over 80 years old and she was in Tharthana Bimman temple IDP camp of Kyauk Taw that supports 138 people, said Dr Than Tun Oo, an in-charge doctor at Kyauktaw township hospital.

Speaking to Narinjara News, the doctor added that the elderly woman turned  sick recently and she was screened in the hospital where she tested positive for Covid-19.

She was immediately taken to Sittwe hospital in the morning  hours along with the son.

“She is suffering from breathing problems and in need of oxygen. I am worried about her health,” he added.

Meanwhile, samples from her son’s nose and throat were taken for medical screening. Four other refugees in their camp will also be tested, revealed the doctor.

The development is disturbing as 10000 people are taking shelter in camps of Kyauktaw.

Over all more than 200,000 IDPs are recorded  in Rakhine State, including Kyauktaw, but most of them are living without any preventive measures to novel corona virus infection.

According to the national health and sports ministry, 765 people lost their lives to Covid-19 complications till date. Total number of infected persons increases up to 32351 across Myanmar (Burma) where 14706 individuals have recovered and 15,581 patients are under Covid-19 treatments.