10th-11th July, 2021

 Myanmar is now suffering the “brutal” third wave of pandemic as the entire health sector and public administration have already collapsed since the coup. The junta-controlled Ministry of Health announced yesterday that 4377 out of 15000 people tested positive, but netizens claim that the actual number of people infected and the death tolls are "extremely high.” 

An oxygen shortage is the most challenging problem throughout the country, especially in Yangon, which is home to 7 million people, and many people are waiting for hours to refill their oxygen tanks. As the junta has ordered private oxygen plants in Yangon to prioritize for public hospitals and quarantine centres, thousands of Covid patients isolating at home are now facing difficulties to get their oxygen supply, Khit Thit Media reported. Moreover, public hospitals are no longer accepting Covid patients due to lack of space.

A leaked letter of the junta said that it is planning to hire private doctors who have not been charged on a contract basis to treat Covid patients. There are also reports that the junta is trying to recruit volunteers to assist at Covid centres for 100,000 Kyat (USD 60) a month. However, many claimed that many patients have died without proper treatment because of the junta’s crackdown on CDM healthcare workers and that they will not volunteer until the military step down.

Chin World reported that more than 500 people have died from Covid-19 in Kalay, Sagaing region. Zalen Media reported that trucks transporting oxygen tanks to the town are now blocked due to a recent clash between the junta troops and the PDF forces on the Kalay-Gangaw road. The junta have instructed its soldiers not to marry CDM civil servants and those charged under Section 505 (a) of the Criminal Code, the Ayeyarwaddy Times reported. In Mandalay, two electricity bill collectors were shot, and one died, according to Myanmar Now. Anti-coup protesters have warned the junta-controlled electricity department not to charge the public.

According to the Katha People Defense Force, about 180 junta troops, including a commander of the 88 Division, were killed in four days of fighting in Katha, Sagaing Region. KPDF said that they are guided by Battalion 5 of the KIA's 8th Brigade. Some locals of the Ayeyarwaddy Region told the DVB that the junta is forming militia units in each township to protect against PDF attacks. The junta is pressuring villagers to send at least 20 people per village to join the groups.

After the emergency meeting of the Central Committee, The KNU announced on 5 July that it has suspended the KNU's KNDO Commander-in-Chief, Brigadier Gen. Saw Ner Dah Mya and Capt. Saw Baw War, in connection with the massacre of 25 people near Kane Lay village in Wale Town, Karen State. During his online speech on 11 July, Brigadier Gen. Saw Ner Dah Mya said that he will not accept the decision. There were five clashes in the KNU Brigade 5 area in three days, killing 10 junta troops, the Burma VJ reported.