A man from Yayayekwin ward  Taungyi, Southern Shan State, with no record of any travel was found to have been infected with coronavirus, and not less than 16 persons who have had contact with him have been restricted of their movement, as known from Taungyi Township Public Health Department.      

Dr Moe Htun of the Public Department said that there was only one infected person, but the persons who had had contact with him were many. Investigations were underway still. They were placed in quarantine centres - SHS(5) and SHS(1). They numbered nearly 20.     

It happened that an 18 year-old boy from Oukthahpayar Street, Yayayekwin ward, Taungyi, took ill on 17 Nov. and with the loss of sense of smell, and responsible persons were notified. He was sent to the Dhamna Ooyin quarantine centre. After being tested he was found to have been infected with coronavirus. All those that had had contact with him were rounded up within the night and placed in quarantine centres.    

The aforesaid boy used to play futsal, play games in the game centre, and fly kites. Persons who could have had contact with him were sought after, placed in quarantine and their movement restricted. Six of his family members, those who used to play futsal with him and the game centre owner were sent to quarantine centres.  

According to what friends of his said, he could have had contact with a truck driver who had been infected with COVID-19 virus. That driver drove a truck transporting goods from Taunggyi to Mandalay. On his way up Nantpan he was tested and was found to have been infected with coronavirus. He was sent to Kalaw Public Hospital. The boy could have had contact with that driver.    

U Than Myint Aung, a volunteer worker, said that the 18 years old could have gone around as usual. It was not known from where he got infected. The place the boy played games and the house were close by and contact could have been possible.     

The Taunggyi Township General Administration Department and responsible persons disinfected the driver's house, and contact persons were being sought after.     

It was learnt from Shan State Treatment and Public Health Department on 17 Nov. that there were 50 COVID-19 confirmed patients in Southern Shan State.    

As of 17 Nov. in there were 15 in Sao San Htun Hospital, Taungyi, 16 in Kalaw Public Hospital, one in Aungpan 700-bed hospital, one in Loilem Public Hospital, 5 in Ywarngan Public Hospital, 2 in Pinlaung Public Hospital,  5 in Ywarngan Township, Myotgyee District Hospital, 3 in Saikkhaung District Hospital, one in Sisaing Public Hospital, and one in Kunhein Public Hospital, totaling 50, as disclosed by Shan State Treatment and Public Health Department.