Myanmar’s containment plan pushed to brink as virus surges

The entrance of the quarantine facilities for of Covid-19 cases is seen at a football pitch in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sept 16, 2020. - Reuters

YANGON (Reuters): Myanmar has quarantined tens of thousands of people to prevent a coronavirus outbreak from overwhelming its fragile healthcare system but public health experts and doctors say the strategy is on the brink of collapse as infections surge.

The Southeast Asian nation is housing more than 45,000 people, including Covid-19 patients as well as those yet to be tested, their close contacts and returning migrant workers, in buildings from schools and monasteries to government offices and tower blocks, mostly run by volunteers.