Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has handed over the first batch of laboratory equipment worth 400,000 yen to the National Health Laboratory in order to take emergency response measures against COVID-19 in Myanmar.
In Myanmar, till February 24 (8 pm), there were 40 patients being watched for the coronavirus, but they tested negative for the virus, according to lab tests, the Ministry of Health and Sports has reported.
Myanmar is taking preventive measures by issuing the highest warnings against the virus.
The country needs to speed up monitoring and response measures as infection disease rate is usually high when compared with other ASEAN countries.
JICA and the Ministry of Health and Sports have been cooperating in capacity building and technology in fighting infectious diseases since 2015.
Under the leadership of the Japanese government, JICA will continue its support for Myanmar in preventive measures against COVID-19.
According to the figures from the World Health Organization available on February 25 morning, there were 79,331 confirmed cases across the globe. The number included 74 in Hong Kong, 10 in Macao and 28 in Taiwan outside mainland China.
The virus had spread to 29 countries with 2,069 confirmed cases.
