"While Myanmar has so far effectively mitigated the spread of the disease through quarantines, contact-tracing and targeted lockdowns, testing remains one of the most effective ways of quickly identifying cases. Myanmar has five testing centres – one in Mandalay, one in Mawlamyine in Mon State, and three in Yangon, which is the epicentre of the virus outbreak in the country. As of June 28, these laboratories had tested 71,692 people, according to the Health and Sports Ministry. Dr Than Soe Naing, director of the ministry, said it would take about three months for Lashio township to get its own COVID-19 tests as the laboratory isn’t finished yet. But he added that the testing facility in Taunggyi township in Shan could start operating early next month. Dr Thuzar Chit Tin, head of the state’s Public Health Department, said a donor who was supposed to finance construction of the laboratory in Taunggyi had backed out, so the Shan government had to find other funding sources..."