Myanmar health authorities said late Monday that the day's new infections with the novel coronavirus totaled 5,014, topping the 5,000 line for the first time.

With the latest figure, Myanmar's cumulative total of COVID-19 cases rose to 197,227, with 3,927 deaths.

Amid slow progress in vaccination and with many medical workers continuing to refuse service in protest against the military coup in February, the actual number of infections is believed to be higher than shown in data from authorities.

On Monday, around 14,000 COVID-19 tests were administered, roughly 30 percent less than the levels seen before the coup.

People in Yangon and Mandalay, the two largest cities in the country, are urged to refrain from nonessential outings as the positivity rate among those tested for COVID-19 has exceeded 30 percent and the shortage of medical oxygen is getting serious.