MYANMAR recorded close to 4,000 new Covid-19 cases, including more than 70 deaths, within a week, the country’s Health Ministry said today.

A total of 869 new coronavirus cases were registered on Wednesday, Myanmar’s highest single-day figure since the start of the outbreak, Anadolu Agency citing the ministry said in a statement.

Over the past week, 3,868 infections and 73 virus-related fatalities were confirmed across the country, it added.

With hundreds of cases emerging daily, the government has reimposed domestic travel curbs throughout the country, with major cities, including the commercial hub of Yangon, placed under strict lockdown.

In early September, authorities instructed domestic airlines to suspend all services and also banned entry visas and international flights until the end of the month.

Restrictions have left Yangon’s streets quiet and deserted despite the country’s looming general elections.

Political parties have been unable to campaign and have called for the polls, scheduled for November 8, to be postponed in view of public health concerns.

However, Myanmar’s election commission and the ruling National League for Democracy party have rejected the demand, saying there will be no delay in the elections due to the Covid-19 pandemic. – Bernama, September 24, 2020.