More Suspected COVID-19 Patients Isolated in RSPI Jakarta

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A total of six people suspected of having contracted the new coronavirus or COVID-19 are put under the isolation room at Sulianti Saroso Hospital (RSPI) in Sunter, North Jakarta. According to the hospital director Mohammad Syahril, they suffer fever, cough, and sore throat.

Syahril explained that four of them have been treated since Monday night, March 2. Three of the four had made contacts with two Depok residents tested positive for the virus–the first two confirmed cases in Indonesia.

“The three had been in contact with previous patients,” said Syahril at RSPI, North Jakarta, Tuesday, March 3, adding that the other one had returned from a country infected with the virus. However, he stopped short of mentioning the country.

Meanwhile, the two others have been put under observation this morning as they are referred by other hospitals. “One of the hospitals is in Jakarta. I cannot expose the hospitals' names,” Syahril remarked.

The new patients are now undergoing screenings and observation. The test result for the new coronavirus will come back on Wednesday morning, March 4, Syahril added.

Earlier on Monday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo confirmed the first two COVID-19 cases in Jakarta. They are a mother, 64, and daughter, 31, contracted the virus as they had made contact with a Japanese national who tested positive.

ADAM PRIREZA