Photo: Chinese Embassy to Myanmar

The Chinese government on Thursday sent 2.45 tons of medical supplies including 5,000 protective outfits, 5,000 N95 medical masks, and 200,000 protective face masks to Myanmar to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Days before, China had sent over 2,000 testing kits and masks to support the country.

When China struggled with its COVID-19 epidemic, Myanmar provided a great amount of assistance which was highly appreciated by the Chinese people. Now China is offering help in return as Myanmar grapples with its own COVID-19 outbreak, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai noted on Thursday.

Zaw Than Tun, director general of medical research at the Ministry of Health and Sports in Myanmar extended his gratitude for the medical supplies and noted that China's help reflects the long-term friendship between the two countries.

As of press time, Myanmar has reported 3 confirmed COVID-19 cases, one from the US and two from the UK.

More suspected and confirmed cases are expected soon, considering a large number of Myanmar laborers working in Thailand will return home for the traditional Thingyan Water Festival from April 10-16.

The Myanmar government is converting stadiums into Fang Cang makeshift hospitals to combat what it expects will be a serious coronavirus outbreak.