Dance Session Leads to Indonesia's First Coronavirus Cases: Govt

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto revealed that the country’s first two COVID-19 coronavirus patients were infected by their Japanese dance teacher. 

“[The Japanese national] is their dance teacher. She was dancing with their close friend,” said Terawan on Monday, March 2. 

Following their activities together, the Indonesian showed symptoms of ceaseless coughing and sought treatment as an outpatient on February 14. However, 12 days later the Indonesian requested in-hospital treatment following an unabating illness. 

“On 28 February, the person called their dancing partners and notified them of being treated for coronavirus,” said Minister Terawan.

President Jokowi previously confirmed that two Indonesian nationals had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, which marks the first of such a case in the country.

According to the President, the two were infected from a Japanese national who contracted the coronavirus during the latter’s visit to Indonesia. “[They] are a mother and daughter. The mother, 64 years old, and her daughter, 31 years old, have been in the hospital,” said the President at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday, March 2.

M ROSSENO AJI