Professor Dr Htay Htay Tin from National Health Laboratory (NHL) said that they would conduct a test on all patients with fever and cough symptoms as COVID-19 suspected cases at the beginning of the seasonal flu this year.

“Now our Ministry of Health and Sports will conduct a test on quarantine patients. And also to all contact cases. We will conduct tests on all patients coming to the hospital for admission and all patients with fever and cough symptoms as suspect cases at the beginning of seasonal flu. So we will expand our tests,” Prof. Dr Htay Htay Tin said.

COVID-19 pathology in-charge Prof. Htay Htay Tin of NHL said, “Rapid test technology is available now. We have submitted proposals for procuring these rapid test kits. We expect 20-25 patients can be tested per day at States/Regions hospitals and district hospitals though they cannot do 3-400 tests per day simultaneously.”

Currently, COVID-19 confirmed tests can be done only at NHL in Yangon. Prof. Htay Htay Tin said that after getting assistance using medical equipment given by China’s Yunnan Province Government confirmed tests could be likely conducted in Mandalay to starting from May 15.

Moreover, the laboratories which have biosecurity level (3) in Mawlamyine, Mon State and Taunggyi, Shan State will confirm tests on the virus.

The statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports says that Myanmar has 150 confirmed COVID-19 cases until April 30 of which six died and 16 recovered from the disease.