Kalay is in dire need of oxygen as number of deaths is climbed daily and many people are ill, sources said.
“About 170 people are died in this week. Over 40 funerals are held at a cemetery on July 6 and number of funerals in the villages are not counted. Mortality rate is increased day by day. It is irregular. Twenty-seven people were killed for two days in a row in recent days. There are about 40 deaths yesterday. another thing is we cannot collect specific data. In some villages, they arranged the funerals themselves. I think people died with other diseases are very few. All people we help are died of COVID-19. So we conducted the funerals using personal protective equipments (PPEs). If their deaths are not suspected cases of COVID-19, we haven’t been asked to wear PPEs,” said Ye Thiha Aung from Kayankan Myitta social welfare association.
Social organizations and other associations are helping Kalay people to supply supplemental oxygen.
“There are 19 social welfare associations in Kalay but we are facing difficulties as only over 10 of them are functioning now. Although we invited volunteers, it is not enough. We have to send the patients to clinics and supply oxygen. We also need donation to buy PPEs, N95 masks and oxygen. I think most of the deaths caused by lack of oxygen. About 300 of 400-liter oxygen cylinders arrived in Kalay and it will be out of supply within one or two days. The daily supplemental oxygen in the town is about 500 oxygen cylinders,” said a volunteer.
All tea shops and restaurants in all townships in Sagaing Region have been instructed to allow takeaway orders instead of dine-in from July 5 to July 19. Night Market, KTV, night clubs, massage parlours and gyms are ordered to close. Visitors from the Stay at Home area will be allowed to enter and exit only if they have been tested with the RDT test kit within 72 hours. Failure to do so will result in legal action.
“The COVID-19 patients are kept in Eakesut center, general hospital and traditional medicine hospital. It will be effective if new centers are opened in every villages with doctors, nurses and volunteers. I would also like to tell the people of Kalay not to go out as much as possible. When we queue to take oxygen, we have to obey social distancing rules to prevent the spread of disease. I would like to say that it would be convenient if more oxygen supply facilities could be provided,” said Ye Thiha Aung.
Volunteers sprayed disinfectants in wards and roads in Kalay and locals provided boiled rice, chicken broths and Sabuti (a traditional food for Chin people) and boiled eggs for the patients.
