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Indonesia confirms first coronavirus cases
JAKARTA, March 2, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Indonesia on Monday reported its first
confirmed cases of coronavirus, after health officials in the world’s fourth-
most populous country hit back at questions over its apparent lack of
infected patients.
A 64-year-old woman and her daughter, 31, tested positive for the virus at
a Jakarta hospital, said health minister Terawan Agus Putranto.
“This morning I received the test results and they were positive,” he told
reporters in the capital.
“Both are in good condition…they don’t have serious breathing
difficulties.”
Officials said that the pair may have been in close contact with a
Japanese national who has since tested positive after returning to
neighbouring Malaysia.
Last month, Indonesia criticised a US study that questioned why the
Southeast Asian archipelago of more than 260 million, which has strong links
to China, had not recorded a case of the virus.
The World Health Organization said it was particularly concerned about
high-risk nations with weaker health systems, who may lack the facilities to
identify cases.
The global death toll from the new coronavirus epidemic surpassed 3,000 on
Monday after dozens more died at its epicentre in China and cases soared
around the world with a second fatality on US soil.
The WHO says the virus appears to particularly hit those over the age of
60 and people already weakened by other illness.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1114 hrs