Some volunteers from local philanthropic organizations and free funeral service societies working on Covid-19 response measures are reportedly getting ill, according to Yangon-based organizations.  

Myanmar has seen high Covid-19 infection rates in the third wave since mid-June. Volunteers from those organizations are taking risks of participating in the Covid-19 response measures. Meanwhile, some are also suffering from illness as they help deal with the infected patients and the dead. 

“About 15 volunteers from my association are falling sick. But with staff shortages, about six of them still have to be helping after taking their medicine,” said an official from Mitta Thingaha free funeral service society.

Those getting ill from the philanthropic associations could not receive testing under current circumstances. Instead, they have to continue their work after taking medicine and a short rest, the official added.

Currently, Yangon Region is seeing high death rates among Covid-19 suspected cases, and the situation does not allow for those who died to undergo testing, according to some philanthropic associations. 

“A lot of people have died. In East Dagon Township alone, 13 dead bodies have been carried. There are three more bodies to be carried. All of them were Covid-19 suspected cases. As testing cannot be carried out, we don’t know why they died. But most of them had Covid symptoms,” said the official from Mitta Thingaha free funeral service society.

In recent days, Manaw Phyu social aid association in Ayeyawady Region fetched the dead bodies needing prompt cremation. Later, overcrowded crematoriums and volunteer shortages made the association enable to fetch the dead bodies from homes and hospitals. But it is still helping with hiring hearses and cremation. 

There had been 1947 deaths from July 1 to 19, the ministry of health and sports reported.