News anchors in junta-ruled Myanmar have been told to stop using the English pronunciation for Covid-19, with speculation swirling the word has been culled to ensure more positive coverage amid a deadly spike of cases.

For the previous 18 months, anchors on state-backed news programmes had used the English "Covid-19" in their reports on the virus that has rampaged across the world, and is now devastating Myanmar.

Authorities reported more than 6,000 cases on Wednesday, up from around 100 per day in early June, with hospitals across the country suffering from a lack of oxygen and doctors.

Amid the spike — and with the junta's response being widely panned — the two syllables of the English word "nineteen" may have made for uncomfortable listening, as one anonymous post on social media pointed out.

They sound like "winning" and "beating" in Burmese respectively.

Last week, anchors on state-backed TV's nightly news programmes instead began referring to the virus as "COVID Sel Koe" — the Burmese word for the number.

"I heard that they changed the name as a boon because COVID 19 wins and beats the people," one user wrote last week on Facebook.

A senior official from the information ministry of the State Administration Council — as the junta dubs itself — denied the switch had been made to remove inauspicious sounds.

"We used to announce the same pronunciation in Burmese and English in the past," an information ministry official told AFP on Wednesday.

"But for a Burmese audience, we think we should change our pronunciation into Burmese accent."

"We have no other reason."

According to state media, authorities have already taken measures to propitiate unseen forces during the spike, urging people around the country to recite teachings of the Buddha to increase protection.

While the majority of people in Myanmar are Buddhist, many also believe in spirits, astrology and "yadaya" — magic used to ward off evil or misfortune.

"I have no idea why the authorities changed its pronunciation," Tin Htut, a prominent sorcerer, told AFP.

"But I like it. In Burmese rhyme… COVID Sel Koe… Shey Ma Toe (not moving forward)."

Batch of 736,000 Chinese vaccines arrives in Myanmar
Yangon (AFP) July 22, 2021 –

A batch of Chinese Covid-19 vaccines arrived in Myanmar on Thursday, an AFP reporter said, as the coup-wracked country battles a devastating new surge in cases.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and the latest wave of the pandemic has struck with many hospitals empty of pro-democracy medical staff.

The shipment contained 736,000 Sinopharm doses, according to media controlled by the State Administration Council — as the junta dubs itself.

The junta has purchased four million vaccines from China, it said earlier this month, adding Beijing will donate a further 2 million.

But widespread anger at the coup — and fear of being seen to cooperate with the regime — is keeping many away from military-run hospitals.

Instead, volunteer groups across the country are fighting desperate battles to source precious oxygen and bring the dead for cremation.

On Thursday, a shadow government of ousted lawmakers said it had formed its own Covid taskforce, and would seek international support to procure vaccines.

The "National Unity Government", whose members are in exile or underground, did not make clear how it would be able to secure and administer vaccine doses in Myanmar.

Around 1.75 million people have so far been vaccinated in the country of 54 million, according to authorities.

Beijing enjoys exceptional leverage over Myanmar and has refused to label the military action a coup.

Myanmar on Wednesday reported 6,701 new cases — up from around 100 per day in early June.

Earlier this month, state media reported junta leader Min Aung Hlaing had agreed to buy two million vaccines from Russia — another major ally — without specifying which shot.

Myanmar's creaking healthcare system had struggled to respond to Covid even before the generals' putsch.

Swathes of the country were put under partial lockdown last year, although enforcement was often lax in the developing nation where many face a stark choice between following regulations and feeding their families.