YANGON----According to the information released by the Ministry of Health on March 18th , a total of 540 new Covid-19 cases were detected after 17,763 lab samples had been tested. In addition, two more deaths were reported.

Among the Covid-19 cases, Myanmar found in 31 suspected cases of Omicron sub-variant BA.2 on March 15th at the Tatmadaw Medical Research Unit, according to the Ministry of Health.

People who have been diagnosed with Omicron BA.2 already have been treated separately since Covid-19 was confirmed and are in good health.

The International studies have shown that the Omicron BA.2 mutation spreads faster than the Omicron variant BA.1, but that those who have received a full dose of Covid-19 vaccine have lower severity and mortality.

Up till 8pm of March 18th , a total of 7,473,131 lab samples were tested, and 608,384 confirmed cases reported.  In addition, two more deaths were reported during the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths to 19,420.

As 1,238 patients were discharged from hospitals on March 18th , the total number of patients discharged reached 562,905.