YANGON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 23 new imported COVID-19 cases were reported in Myanmar on Friday morning, bringing the total number of infections to 286 in the country, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health and Sports.

The newly confirmed cases are returnees who were under quarantine after their recent arrivals from Thailand and Malaysia.

As of Friday morning, a total of 56,726 samples were tested for COVID-19 and 5,623 patients are being monitored, the ministry's figures said.

Myanmar reported its first two positive cases of COVID-19 on March 23 and six deaths have been reported so far.