Two patients under COVID-19 surveillance have been allowed to go home after testing negative for the virus. Hence, eight patients under surveillance are being hospitalized
Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA) - The Adam Malik Public Hospital, North Sumatra, is treating eight people under surveillance for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in its wards on Tuesday, while two others were discharged after testing negative for the infection.

"Two patients under COVID-19 surveillance have been allowed to go home after testing negative for the virus. Hence, eight patients under surveillance are being hospitalized," the hospital's spokesperson, Rosario Dorothy Simanjuntak, stated.

Conversing with journalists at the hospital, located on the outskirts of Medan, the capital of North Sumatra Province, Simanjuntak spoke of not being able to furnish detailed information on the patients and their current health condition.

Simanjuntak noted that no COVID-19 case had been confirmed at the Adam Malik Public Hospital.

Adam Malik Public Hospital has prepared at least 11 isolation rooms and a group of doctors, who join the so-called "New Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Team (PINERE Team).

Rahmaini, coordinator for handling coronavirus at the Adam Malik Hospital, remarked in January that the hospital will handle COVID-19 cases with its team of doctors and specialists, who often tackle the outbreaks of infectious diseases.

"We are ready to handle the cases of coronavirus. We have a PINERE Team whose members have often handled the outbreak of infectious diseases," she remarked, adding that this team comprised 20 doctors and specialists capable of preventing and handling cases of infectious diseases.

The hospital has human resources, facilities, and appropriate procedures for handling the outbreak of infectious diseases that may occur sporadically.

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its official statement on the outbreak of coronavirus in China, the Indonesian government has stayed on alert.

As of Monday, the number of COVID-19 patients in Indonesia had reached at least 134, as the virus had spread to several regions, including Jakarta, Bandung, Tangerang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Bali, Manado, and Pontianak. Related news: Indonesian Transport Minister's health reported stable

Related news: Indonesia introduces large-scale social distancing measures

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Translator: Nur ABS, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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