Union Minister for Health Dr. Thet Khaing Win Attends the Coordination Meeting of COVID-19 Prevention and Control Activities

The coordination meeting of COVID-19 Prevention and Control Activities was held at the meeting hall of No (4) Office, the Ministry of Health, via videoconferencing on 9 March. During the meeting, Union Minister for Health Dr. Thet Khaing Win stressed out the following points:

• Regarding the death toll of the fourth wave of COVID-19, it is found out that most of the people died in the pandemic, accounting for 90% to 95%, were not received full doses of the vaccine.  
• Although the confirmed cases and the infection rate within the fourth wave of COVID-19 were obviously increasing in early February 2022, it was found that it decreased in early March 2022. The daily death toll from COVID-19 reaches 0.1% to 0.2%.
• The outbreak of COVID-19 and fatality rate quickly declined because the Ministry of Health made preparation works of the COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities under the guidelines of the State Administration Council, carried out to have a coverage of vaccination on targeted groups aged above 18 years ,  a total of 1.5 million students aged 12 years and above and 18 years and above from Basic Education Middle and High schools have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the fourth of wave of COVID-19.Moreover, the COVID-19 patients can dial up the given numbers and consult with the Rapid Response Team (RRT) around the clock. Setting up “Teleconsultation Teams” comprising specialists and medical experts which the patients can directly connect and consult with physicians on duty. The Ministry of Health supplies necessary medication including oxygen and COVID-19 control, containment medicines for detection and treatment, health care workers and makes preparation in all round efforts.Because of the active participation of the members of the emergency response committee in respective regions and states, officials, volunteers and civilians in COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities, the spread of pandemic goes slow.
• Regarding the importation of Omicron variant BA.2, it is required undertake the tasks of Genomic Surveillance of virus continuously.
• The preparation of delivering vaccines which are stored at the cold chain centers must be carried out in order to remain unchanged. Besides, it is necessary to step up the tasks of regular vaccination process.
• It has to be aware the risk of fire outbreak at health centres and public hospitals as summer season is coming.

The officials of Public Health Administration Department, Central Epidemiology Department and Centre of action plan for extensive vaccination, the heads of public health and treatment departments of regions/states reported to the Union Minister and then, the Union Minister made a closing remark at the meeting. 

• Regarding the death toll of the fourth wave of COVID-19, it is found out that most of the people died in the pandemic, accounting for 90% to 95%, were not received full doses of the vaccine.
• Although the confirmed cases and the infection rate within the fourth wave of COVID-19 were obviously increasing in early February 2022, it was found that it decreased in early March 2022. The daily death toll from COVID-19 reaches 0.1% to 0.2%.
• Regarding the importation of Omicron variant BA.2, it is required undertake the tasks of Genomic Surveillance of virus continuously.
• The preparation of delivering vaccines which are stored at the cold chain centers must be carried out in order to remain unchanged. Besides, it is necessary to step up the tasks of regular vaccination process.