The Seventh Work Coordination Meeting of the COVID-19 Control and Emergency Response Committee was held at the Office of the Chairman of the State Administration Council in Nay Pyi Taw on 2 May in which the Chairman of the Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win delivered an address.
During the event, the Chairman of the COVID-19 Control and Emergency Response Committee SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister delivered remarks as follows:
- It was learnt that Omicron variant Arcturus XBB.1.16, which has spread in neighbouring countries, has been identified since 1 April according to studies, and the transmission has slightly increased in Myanmar after the Thingyan Festival period.
- However, it was also found that it is not necessary to worry about the infection of Arcturus subvariant of omicron virus compared with previous Omicron transmission.
- Common distinctive symptoms of the variant include sore eyes and earaches and it is necessary to conduct further studies and to launch awareness-raising campaigns about the findings.
- The main purpose of the meeting today is to monitor and control the outbreak of the new Arcturus variant although a little infection of Arcturus subvariant of omicron virus occurred in the country, to raise awareness about it and to respond to it quickly.
- As it was learnt that the infection caused by the new variant can be cured by the drugs being used in treatment for the previous COVID-19 variants, it is not necessary to worry about it.
- It needs to check the readiness of test kits, oxygen supply and quarantine centres for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19.
- The COVID-19 Control and Emergency Response Committee is required to resume its tasks by discussing the ensuring sufficient medical supplies and full vaccination.
Then, Union Minister for Education Dr. Thet Thet Khaing and those present at the meeting presented respectively the matters related to the supervisions for ensuring the systematic COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities.
After hearing the presentation, the Chairman of the COVID-19 Control and Emergency Response Committee SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister stressed the following points:
- Yangon Region saw 539 cases, the largest number of all, followed by Kayin State with 196 cases, the second largest infection in the country. So, it is necessary to take control measures to prevent any higher number.
- Medical checkups for COVID-19 must be conducted on those who entered through the border, and those with positive results must be sent to the designated places for treatment. Constant monitoring for protective equipment demands is also necessary.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers U Ko Ko, Dr. Pwint Hsan, Dr. Nyunt Pe, Dr. Thet Khaing Win and Dr. Thet Thet Khaing, deputy ministers, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and responsible officials.
Source: MWD (3-5-2023)
- The main purpose is to monitor and control the outbreak of the new Arcturus variant although a little infection of Arcturus subvariant of omicron virus occurred in the country, to raise awareness about it and to respond to it quickly.
- It needs to check the readiness of test kits, oxygen supply and quarantine centres for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19.
- Medical checkups for COVID-19 must be conducted on those who entered through the border, and those with positive results must be sent to the designated places for treatment.