Myanmar’s political crisis is fueling an ‘uncontrolled’ outbreak of COVID-19
3 years, 8 months ago

Myanmar’s political crisis is fueling an ‘uncontrolled’ outbreak of COVID-19

LA Times  

The dead in Myanmar are piling up outside cemeteries, overwhelming workers struggling to keep pace with the demand for cremations. “You can’t attack a pandemic and healthcare professionals at the same time,” the independent United Nations human rights expert for Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said in a tweet Monday. World & Nation Myanmar accelerates toward a civil war of ‘unprecedented scale’ Anti-coup demonstrators are abandoning peaceful protest for armed resistance as the deposed civilian government appeals to ethnic rebels to join the fight. The United Nations warns of a ‘bloodbath.’ “None of the numbers that we’re seeing right now in any of the reports have any basis in reality,” said Jason Mills, deputy head of mission for Doctors Without Borders, who described the situation in Myanmar as an “uncontrolled community spread.” To many, the nation feels as if it is in free fall, propelled by a deadly virus, a battered economy and unrelenting oppression. “If the COVID situation can’t be controlled in Myanmar, it will be very dangerous for other countries especially in Southeast Asia but also for the whole world,” said Dr.

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History of this topic

No progress in journalist’s case as ex-US envoy leaves Myanmar
3 years, 4 months ago

No progress in journalist’s case as ex-US envoy leaves Myanmar

Al Jazeera  

Bill Richardson’s private visit was centred on COVID-19 humanitarian work but he also met with military officials, foreign diplomats and UN representatives. Former US Ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson has left Myanmar after finishing a private humanitarian mission in which he sought to boost the Southeast Asian country’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate the delivery of …

Australians mourn from afar as relatives die 'needlessly' of COVID-19 in post-coup Myanmar
3 years, 7 months ago

Australians mourn from afar as relatives die 'needlessly' of COVID-19 in post-coup Myanmar

ABC  

As a former nurse, Nang Thiri Thaw tried her best to give her son medical advice when he tested positive for COVID-19 in Myanmar. "If the government and health system was the same as before, I think he would have survived," Ms Nang said. Myanmar could become global 'superspreader' site Paul Komesaroff, a professor of medicine at Monash University and …

Myanmar doctors risk arrest to treat covid-19 patients in secret
3 years, 7 months ago

Myanmar doctors risk arrest to treat covid-19 patients in secret

Live Mint  

In most of the world, the Covid-19 pandemic was a blunt reminder for governments of how valuable their healthcare workers really are. Dr. Wai Phyo Kyaw, a 33-year-old surgeon in the central Myanmar city of Mandalay, is one of the country’s rogue doctors. Myanmar’s response to rising Covid-19 cases has been hobbled by the country’s political crisis, with many doctors …

Residents: Myanmar leaders use pandemic as political weapon
3 years, 7 months ago

Residents: Myanmar leaders use pandemic as political weapon

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — With coronavirus deaths rising in Myanmar, allegations are growing from residents and human rights activists that the military government, which seized control in February, is using the pandemic to consolidate power and crush opposition. “They have stopped distributing personal protection equipment and masks, and they will not let civilians who they suspect are supporting the democracy movement be …

UN warned of ‘dire’ COVID situation in Myanmar
3 years, 7 months ago

UN warned of ‘dire’ COVID situation in Myanmar

Al Jazeera  

Half of Myanmar’s population could get COVID-19 within the next two weeks, the UK tells United Nations Security Council. The United Kingdom has warned the United Nations Security Council that half of coup-wracked Myanmar’s population of 54 million could become infected with COVID-19 within the next two weeks. “The coup has resulted in a near-total collapse of the healthcare system, …

Doctors arrested in Myanmar as COVID Delta cases soar
3 years, 8 months ago

Doctors arrested in Myanmar as COVID Delta cases soar

ABC  

In most countries, doctors on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic are applauded. Key points: Doctors were among the first to protest against the military coup Reports of new arrests are sowing distrust as COVID rages Australian aid is going through ASEAN, but critics fear it will not reach the people who need it As the devastating third wave …

Imprisoned Myanmar politician dies from COVID-19
3 years, 8 months ago

Imprisoned Myanmar politician dies from COVID-19

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — The spokesperson for ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party died Tuesday after being infected with the coronavirus in prison, his lawyer said. The death of Nyan Win, 79, came as Myanmar is reeling from soaring numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths that are badly straining the country’s medical infrastructure, already weakened when many state medical …

Jailed Myanmar politician Nyan Win dies from COVID
3 years, 8 months ago

Jailed Myanmar politician Nyan Win dies from COVID

Al Jazeera  

Win, a senior adviser to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, dies from COVID-19 after becoming infected in jail, says NLD. Myanmar politician Nyan Win, a senior adviser to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has died in hospital after becoming infected with COVID-19 in jail, his party said, as the Southeast Asian country struggles with an exponential rise in …

Myanmar COVID-19 patients desperate for oxygen as cases surge under military government
3 years, 8 months ago

Myanmar COVID-19 patients desperate for oxygen as cases surge under military government

ABC  

Myanmar's military authorities have pledged to ramp up oxygen supplies to treat COVID-19 patients, as residents struggle to help family members from a record-setting wave of infections. Key points: Myanmar has seen a daily record of 80 coronavirus deaths and more than 5,000 new infections More than one-third of people tested return positive results The government says 14 locations in …

The Latest: China locks down city near Myanmar over virus
3 years, 8 months ago

The Latest: China locks down city near Myanmar over virus

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: — Pfizer to discuss …

Chinese city on Myanmar border locked down in COVID outbreak
3 years, 8 months ago

Chinese city on Myanmar border locked down in COVID outbreak

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Authorities in a Chinese city …

Activists, journalists included in Myanmar prisoner release
3 years, 8 months ago

Activists, journalists included in Myanmar prisoner release

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Zaw Zaw, head of the Yangon Region’s Prison Department, …

Is Myanmar getting away with killing off dissidents?
3 years, 9 months ago

Is Myanmar getting away with killing off dissidents?

Al Jazeera  

On Wednesday, June 16 at 19:30GMT: Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power in February, claiming without evidence that an election in which the National League of Democracy party retained power was fraudulent. Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar under the NLD, has gone on trial accused of several crimes including violating coronavirus …

COVID-19 outbreak builds in Myanmar near Indian border
3 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 outbreak builds in Myanmar near Indian border

Deccan Chronicle  

A new outbreak of COVID-19 is growing near Myanmar's northwestern border with India, bringing the sharpest increase in cases since the military coup in February led to a collapse in health services and the testing programme. Official figures released late on Thursday showed 122 cases across the country for the second time in three days - a low number compared …

Ethnic groups step in as Myanmar’s COVID response falls apart
3 years, 10 months ago

Ethnic groups step in as Myanmar’s COVID response falls apart

Al Jazeera  

Some ethnic organisations are continuing testing and vaccinations in the mainly border areas under their control. As Myanmar’s national COVID-19 response collapses following a February 1 military coup, one ethnic armed organisation in the country’s north has quietly vaccinated 20,000 people in areas it governs, with support from across the border in China. Although the turmoil and intensifying civil war …

UN chief tells Myanmar military: ‘Stop the repression’
4 years, 1 month ago

UN chief tells Myanmar military: ‘Stop the repression’

Al Jazeera  

Guterres demands Myanmar military free prisoners and end violence, as he opens a four-week summit on human rights. The four-week session of the Human Rights Council, which started Monday, has drawn several presidents and prime ministers for its “high-level segment”, with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro set to speak. “Today, I call on the Myanmar military to stop the repression immediately,” …

Coup in the time of coronavirus leaves Myanmar’s Rohingya population vulnerable
4 years, 1 month ago

Coup in the time of coronavirus leaves Myanmar’s Rohingya population vulnerable

The Independent  

The United Nations and international aid workers are warning that the military coup in Myanmar in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic may further cut off the Rohingya Muslim population and increase their risk of getting infected. The fate of at least 120,000 Rohingya Muslims hangs in the balance after the army seized power in a coup against the democratically …

Myanmar's upcoming election marred by voting cancellations and COVID-19
4 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar's upcoming election marred by voting cancellations and COVID-19

ABC  

While all eyes have been glued to the United States, Perth resident Khin Myo Myint has been anxiously watching the lead-up to another election much closer to home. Key points: Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party are expected to remain in power The election has been criticised as "fundamentally flawed" because of censorship and misinformation …

Fears of coronavirus catastrophe as Myanmar reports first death
4 years, 11 months ago

Fears of coronavirus catastrophe as Myanmar reports first death

Al Jazeera  

Government says it is on top of the outbreak, but experts worry the disease has already been circulating for some time. “The countries surrounding Myanmar reported cases … much earlier, and there is usually substantial mobility in the region,” he said via email, adding that more widespread testing would be expected to find more cases. Khin Khin Gyi, spokesperson for …

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