By- Sai Hseng Hleang

A 67-year-old man who was quarantined in a high school in Taunggyi died in Sao San Htun hospital on Sunday.

One day earlier, the man had returned to the Shan State capital from Yangon with his son—where they had been undergoing medical treatment for unidentified issues. They were placed in quarantine in line with COVID-19 prevention measures.

The man was transferred to the hospital on Sunday morning after suffering from a cough and fatigue. He died at 4:00 p.m., according to Dr. Wai Wai Mon, who works at Sao San Htun hospital.

“I cannot confirm whether his death is because of COVID-19. Testing is underway,” Dr. Wai Wai Mon said.

The doctor added that the deceased man’s son has also been hospitalized for losing his sense of smell.

According to Win Naing Soe, a member of a Taunggyi-based social volunteer team, the father and the son had returned to Taunggyi from Yangon by car and did not have contact with anyone in Taunggyi prior to their quarantine.

As of Monday, September 21, Burma’s Ministry of Health and Sports had confirmed 5,805 cases of COVID-19, along with 94 deaths and 1,260 recoveries.