Myanmar found 2,878 new COVID-19 confirmed cases on August 18 bringing total number of patients to 363,169, according to an announcement from Ministry of Health.

A total of 11,945 samples are tested between 8 pm of August 17 and 8 pm of August 18 and found 2,878 patients. 163 more people died from the virus bringing total number of death tolls to 13,786, according to a report from the ministry.

The samples were tested in labs under the ministry, using GeneXpert machines in hospitals in Nay Pyi Taw, all regions and states, at No.1 1,000-Bed Military Hospital in Yangon, at No.2 1,000-Bed Military Hospital in Nay Pyi Taw, at No.1 700-Bed Military Hospital in Pyin-Oo-Lwin, at No.9 100-Bed Military Hospital in Lashio, by Tatmadaw mobile PCR team in Kalay, at private hospitals and labs using COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Diagnostic Test in hospitals and public health departments in Nay Pyi Taw, all regions and states.

A total of 3,383,579 samples are tested till August 18 and 3,393 people are allowed to be discharged from the hospitals bringing total number to 282,881, it said.

Outbreaks of COVID-19 in Myanmar are increased in late May this year, with higher rates of infection and death, and declined after August 5. As of August 11, “Stay at Home” order is imposed in 110 townships due to the increase in the number of cases found in the third wave of COVID-19 in Myanmar.

Holidays have been extended for another week to control the COVID-19 pandemic, and schools have been temporarily closed from August 16 to August 22.