Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing called in a speech for more cooperation on prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19, including with fellow members of the ASEAN and "friendly countries", the Global New Light of Myanmar reported.

The junta leader said vaccinations needed to be increased, through both donated doses and by developing domestic production, aided by Russia, the newspaper said, adding Myanmar would seek the release of funds from an ASEAN COVID-19 fund.

Myanmar recently received two million more Chinese vaccines, but it was believed to have only vaccinated about 3.2 percent of its population, according to a Reuters tracker.

There have been desperate efforts by people to find oxygen in many parts of the country. The Myanmar Now news portal, citing witnesses, reported that at least eight people died in a Yangon hospital at the weekend after a piped oxygen system failed.

Reuters could not independently confirm the report and the North Okkalapa General Hospital and a Health Ministry spokeswoman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Infections in Myanmar have surged since June, with 4,964 cases and 338 deaths reported on Tuesday, according to Health Ministry data cited in media. Medics and funeral services put the toll much higher.

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