Covid-19 infection rate is decreasing in Thanphyuzayet Township, Mon State, but there are still a lot of patients receiving treatment at their homes, according to aid organizations dealing with the pandemic.  

The health ministry reported that there were up to 1,088 Covid-19 patients in the township from June 28 to July 31, and the number decreased to only 321 patients from August 1 to 29. However, a lot of infected people and those having similar symptoms are treating themselves at home, said a man who is helping the Covid patients.

“Both infection and death rates have declined. But I don’t think they have decreased significantly. People are secretly treating themselves at home. Earlier, hospitals were overcrowded. They didn’t accept the patients who had mild symptoms such as slight fever and loss of smell and they were urged to stay at home. So, many are receiving treatment at their homes,” he added.  

He continued to say that some deaths were not registered by the health department.

“Staying at home, some patients felt their oxygen levels decrease and decrease, and then died. They were not on the official lists of Covid-19 deaths announced by the health department,” he commented.  

 Kyaw Win, chairman of Thanphyuzayet Township Free Funeral Service Society, said medical teams had been voluntarily formed and they were providing healthcare for those getting ill and having loss of smell in the town and surrounding villages.

“With advice and prescriptions from medical doctors, we are providing medicines if any need arises. We are also providing healthcare and Covid testing,” Kyaw Win said.

 He said despite decreasing cases and deaths in some places, cases are supposed to have increased again in the villages.

The health ministry reported 49 Covid-19 deaths from June 28 to July 31 and 61 deaths from August 1 to 29 in the township. However, aid organizations say the township still sees some Covid-suspected deaths almost every day.

According to the ministry, there were 11,329 cases and 1,032 deaths from June 28 to August 29 in the whole Mon State.