YANGON-The Ministry of Health and Sports yesterday sent the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Team including over40 medical workers to Rakhine State, the new COVID-19 hotspot in the country.

The team has 42 members including anesthetists, doctors and nurses. Moreover, COVID-19 Emergency Supervisory Center is being opened at the Public Health Department in Rakhine State.

The Center is carrying out the healthcare activities under the guidance of the Central Committee for Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

A Total of 16 COVID-19 confirmed cases had been found in Thandwe, Taunggup, Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Kyauktaw Townships in Rakhine State from May 18th to 15th August.

In Rakhine State, from 16 to August 26th, 111 people were found to have been affected by COVID-19 in Sittway Township. Those patients had no oversea travel history. That’s why it is the local transmission case.

The government has formed a Rapid Response Team led by the Director (Infectious Disease) under the Public Health Department which was sent to the Rakhine State on August 17th aiming to reinforce the control and response activities and to find those who made close contact with the confirmed cases.

A volunteer medical team including doctors and nurses arrived in Sittway Airport, Rakhine State, aiming to reinforce the state’s testing and treatment capability on August 25th.

A team includes three assistant doctors, a dental surgeon, a nurse from the Public Health Department and five senior nurses and 12 nurses.

There had been over 60 public health inspectors from all over the country who volunteered to give their service to prevent and control COVID-19 in Sittway Township, Rakhine State.