Omicron infection picks up speed in Myanmar, even causing some deaths

Omicron infection picks up speed in Myanmar, even causing some deaths
Ambulances seen busy transporting Covid-19 patients in Yangon in the third wave. (Photo-Thiha Aung)
Ambulances seen busy transporting Covid-19 patients in Yangon in the third wave. (Photo-Thiha Aung)
Published 21 February 2022
Pyae Phyo Aung

The infection of the Covid-19 Omicron variant is spreading rapidly in Myanmar with daily cases ranging from 1,000 to over 3,000 out of over 20,000 to 30,000 lab tests.

Likewise, global nations, including the regional ones, are seeing rapid infections of the Omicron variant reporting around 2 million cases and over 10,000 deaths every day. 

Myanmar has seen significant infections over the past two weeks while some deaths are also reported.

Deaths following increasing positivity rate

Everyone is easily exposed to the Omicron virus. All people, the vaccinated, the unvaccinated or those already infected, may get infected. 

According to the figures of reported Covid-19 cases since the fourth wave in Myanmar, the positivity rate was 5.38% on February 10, 8.98% on February 16, 9.3% on February 18 and 10.03% on February 19. So, the rate is increasing gradually day by day.

“We no longer have tests for Omicron. We only study symptoms and infection. But if cluster cases of Omicron are reported in a region, we usually have more testing there. In Yangon Region, we don’t test individuals. We assume most cases are Omicron. It is important to take care of ourselves. The Delta variant still exists too,” said Dr Than Naing Soe, director of the health education promotion division of the Public Health Department under the Ministry of Health. 

Despite no deaths in 21 days from January 24 to February 13, ten people died of Covid-19 in five days from February 14 to 18.

Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are more likely to be infected with Omicron.

In Omicron cases, a few deaths occur. If a patient died of a certain underlying disease, we would announce the death resulted from that disease. But if the patient had no underlying disease, we would announced the death resulted from Covid-19,” the doctor added. 

Such reported cases are detected by the Ministry of Health. If mass testing is to be carried out, more cases are likely, according to aid organizations.

“As the Omicron virus is not as severe as others, most people usually recover after having mild symptoms such as sneezing and coughing. They don’t usually have tests. If there are more tests, there could be more cases,” said an official from a social aid organization in Yangon Region.

The Ministry of Health has announced that those wishing to have Covid-19 tests may contact emergency response teams in respective districts of Yangon Region. Moreover, the patients isolating themselves at home can contact the tele-consultation team for advice.

Quarantine and treatment centers in Yangon Region remain open.

Systematic healthcare plays an important role in prevention of Omicron

Since the discovery of the Omicron variant, daily cases have been increasing rapidly in global countries. However, some countries from the Europe and the Southeast Asian are relaxing the Covid restrictions but paying special attention to vaccination and face mask wearing.

Myanmar also needs to focus on preventive measures and vaccination.

“Omicron is about four times faster than the Delta in terms of infection. If many people get infected, those with underlying diseases will worsen their health conditions. Our advice is to take care and try to take precaution,” said Dr Than Naing Soe.

He then called for public cooperation in preventive measures to reduce the outbreak as about 50% to 60% of Myanmar’s population could have been vaccinated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed the need to follow the Covid prevention guidelines such as avoiding crowded places, socializing with many people and stuffy places, washing hands, wearing face masks and distancing.

“As advised by the WHO, we must adapt ourselves to new normal. We cannot say no severer virus will emerge any more. It is important we try to protect ourselves from Covid-19. That will also prevent further mutation of the virus,” Dr Than Naing Soe said. 

With rapid infections of the Omicron virus, it is a must to vaccinate against Covid-19 to control the pandemic. 

Currently, people aged 65 and above are receiving booster doses, according to the Ministry of Health.

Till February 15, Myanmar had 20.37 million people vaccinated two times and 2.77 million vaccinated one time totalling 23.15 million with a total of over 43 million doses, the ministry reported.

Moreover, the Russia-made Sputink Light Covid-19 vaccine that needs only one dose is being administered in Yangon Region as well as in the townships of other regions and states with little coverage of vaccination. 

The Ministry of Health is urging the people to receive full doses of Covid-19 vaccines, those who have received the first doses to visit the nearest immunization point in due course and all public members to actively cooperate in the nationwide inoculation programme.

All in all, everyone still needs to take care of themselves and stay with their health awareness in order to control the fourth wave of Covid-19 caused by the Omicron variant.