TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bandung's Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital (RSHS) Health Research and Development Board said the suspected coronavirus patients currently treated at the hospital have tested negative.

“It's confirmed to be negative [for coronavirus]. The results came yesterday afternoon,” said Yovita Hartantri, head of the hospital's special infection team on Tuesday, February 25.

The three patients that are treated at the RSHS since February 20, showed illness symptoms resembling the covid-19 infection. They had also just traveled overseas.

“That was why we entered them into a special infection isolation room,” said the Bandung RSHS president-director Nina Susana Dewi on Monday, February 24.

One of the patients was a 58-year old male who is known to live and work as a farmer in Perth, Australia. He arrived in Bandung on February 13, after transiting in Bali and Surabaya. The patient complained about experiencing difficulties in breathing. Prior to being referred to the RSHS Bandung, he was initially treated at the Advent Bandung Hospital.

“His condition improved and was sent home on Sunday, February 23,” said Yovita Hartantri.

Two other patients were middle-aged and also had traveled overseas to Vietnam and Malaysia. Both patients initially showed similar symptoms of coronavirus infection such as fever and breathing difficulties. Both patients have been cleared of the virus infection.

ANWAR SISWADI