ZCZC
BFF-22
HEALTH-VIRUS-INDONESIA
18 doctors die of COVID-19 in Indonesia
JAKARTA, April 5, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – The Indonesian Medical Association
(IDI) on Sunday reported that a total of 18 doctors, who had treated patients
infected by the novel coronavirus, have died in the country.
The doctors had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and in the status
of patients under surveillance of the virus, IDI’s spokesman Halik Malik
said.
The practitioners were believed to be infected while treating patients of
COVID-19 in hospitals, he said.
Regarding the lack of protective equipment, the spokesman said that
paramedics and hospitals have been trying to fulfill the needs.
He expects all the needs could be met to make the paramedics focus on
performing their tasks, local media reported.
The Indonesian Health Ministry on Sunday reported seven new deaths of
COVID-19, making the total death toll to 198.
A total of 181 new cases have been confirmed, putting the total to 2,273
in the country, the government’s spokesman for novel coronavirus-related
matters Achmad Yurianto said.
The government has ordered citizens to wear cloth face masks when going
out, citing that many asymptomatic cases have been found. “Everybody must
wear face masks. Surgical and N-95 masks are only for paramedics,” he said.
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BSS/XINHUA/FI/ 1810 hrs