Myanmar reports 1,000 coronavirus cases in one day in record rise

Volunteers wearing face shield and other protective equipments work at a quarantine center, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Yangon, Myanmar, September 24, 2020. REUTERS/Shwe Paw Mya Tin

Myanmar reported more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, in a record daily rise, as the total number of deaths in the country so far rose to 150.

The Southeast Asian nation reported 1,052 infections, making a total of 8,344 cases, more than double the number in neighbouring Thailand, which has a bigger population.

The country has locked down its biggest city, Yangon, and air and overland travel in the country has been halted.

A volunteer is seen at a quarantine center, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Yangon, Myanmar, September 24, 2020. REUTERS/Shwe Paw Mya Tin

In a statement, the health ministry urged people to follow the rules and regulations and said the results of that effort would be seen within two weeks.

(Reporting by Thu Thu Aung; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Alexandra Hudson)