Minister Erick Thohir has observed that several areas are facing a shortage of COVID-19 testing equipment. In the first phase, the lab equipment will be sent to 10 provinces
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) plans to send laboratory equipment to 10 provinces as a form of assistance from the central government to its regional counterparts to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Minister Erick Thohir has observed that several areas are facing a shortage of COVID-19 testing equipment. In the first phase, the lab equipment will be sent to 10 provinces," Special Staff to the Minister of SOEs, Arya Mahendra Sinulingga noted while elaborating on the policies of Minister Thohir at a press conference.

The press conference was held at the COVID-19 Handling Task Force bases in the BNPB Building in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Furthermore, Sinulingga had yet to furnish details on which laboratory equipment will be sent out and to which provinces.

"Related authorities will map out which areas have the highest number of COVID-19 infections," he remarked.

Apart from dispatching medical aid, the SOE Ministry has also deliberated on converting several public facilities to function as COVID-19 emergency hospitals through cooperation with local governments.

"We are tasked with finding a place that can accommodate a large number of people. If, for instance, (in certain regions), we can use the Hajj dormitories, then we will cooperate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs," he stated.

Government spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling, Achmad Yurianto, reported on Monday, March 23, that of the 579 patients, who had tested positive for COVID-19, 49 had died, while 30 others had recovered.

Relevant authorities reported that as of Monday, March 23, Jakarta still had the highest number of COVID-19 positive cases, reaching 353; followed by West Java, with 59 cases; 56 cases in Banten; 41 cases in East Java; 15 cases in Central Java; 11 cases in East Kalimantan; six cases in Bali; and five cases each in Yogyakarta and Riau Islands.
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