TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two Indonesian citizens who were tested positive for the novel coronavirus were taken to Sulianti Saroso Hospital in Jakarta. Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said the two patients who were infected with the pneumonia-causing virus named Covid-19 are from Depok.

Terawan said that the patients contracted the virus from a Japanese national who had visited Indonesia.

"They are being treated in a special room [at the hospital]; an isolation room [that keeps them] out of contact with other patients," Terawan said at the State Palace, Jakarta on Monday, March 2.

Indonesia's first two cases of infection was announced by President Joko Widodo. The infectees are mother and daughter, "They are already treated at a hospital. The 64-year-old mother and her 31-year-old daugther," Jokowi said at the State Palace earlier today.

Jokowi said the government is ready to handle the situation. "The government has been ready from the beginning. We have hospitals, equipment and SOPs with international standards," Jokowi said.

"We also have a budget for this that has been prioritized. Because, if we are not taking this seriously, this is very dangerous. We need to be aware of this disease," Jokowi said.

DEWI NURITA