TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry said there are at least 1,003 Covid-19 patients isolating at the hajj dormitories. The Religious Affairs minister has previously shifted the use of the buildings for Covid-19 pandemic mitigation.

"Until Friday, there are 1,003 people isolating at the hajj dorms in total," said acting director-general of Hajj and Umrah, Khoirizi Dasir, in a press release received by Tempo on Saturday, July 3.

Seven of 25 dorms have been utilized as isolation venues. As per today, he said, Sukolilo hajj dorm in Surabaya accommodates 612 people, the highest among other locations. Of 245 rooms, 204 have been occupied.

"We still have 41 rooms in Surabaya. Those who are isolating at hajj dorms are asymptomatic Covid patients," said Khoirizi.

Meanwhile, 126 people are isolating at Balikpapan hajj dorm, 85 people in Semarang, 56 in Jakarta's Pondok Gede, 67 in Yogyakarta, 32 in Lombok, and 25 in Ambon.

The Religious Affairs only provides the dorms as rooms for isolation, while the medical workers, drugs, security officers, and consumption are managed by the regional government and the health agency of each area. "We are collaborating with the local Covid-19 Task Force, national disaster mitigation agency or BNPB, military, and health agency," he explained.

Previously reported, the ministry planned to set Jakarta Pondok Gede hajj dorm as an emergency hospital to treat Covid-19 patients with mild and severe symptoms.

This idea was the result of the discussion between Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and State-owned Minister Erick Tohir.

Read: Indonesia Prepares Hajj Dormitory as Covid-19 Emergency Hospital

Antara