MANDALAY------As COVID-19 infection rate gradually drops in Mandalay, hospitals and quarantine sites will be reduced, Mandalay Region Chief Minister Dr Zaw Myint Maung said yesterday.

“We had carried out a Stay-at-Home program for two weeks. That’s why the infection rate dropped. During the Stay-at-Home period, there had been many criticisms. In December, we found 16 COVID-19 confirmed cases out of 100 people. However, the infection rate gradually dropped since the beginning of Stay-at-Home order. By the end of December, the infection rate was 10 percent. On January 2nd, the infection rate was 5.7 percent. Among 1,000 peoples, only 91 cases were confirmed. So, some Quarantine centers will be reduced in Mandalay District. There were only 30 patients at the Quarantine center which can accommodate up to 300 patients,” said Dr Zaw Myint Maung.

The Ministry of Health and Sports had issued a two weeks Stay-at-Home order for seven Townships in Mandalay District from December 5th to 18th. So, Mandalay District was effective in bringing down the daily number of COVID-19 cases.

The Mandalay Region Chief Minister also urged his dwellers to control the drop of transmission rate and not to be negligent in the virus because some foreign countries already faced the third wave and saw a new virus.

Mandalay reported 11,320 COVID-19 cases and 248 fatalities as of January 3rd.