Especially for Kemayoran, I have informed the Jakarta Police chief and the Jakarta Military chief on Monday to increase security and called on the residents to not venture near Ring I
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The military increased security at the Wisma Atlet emergency hospital following a surge in the number of COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment, Chief of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan) I Vice Admiral Yudo Margono stated.

"Especially for Kemayoran, I have informed the Jakarta Police chief and the Jakarta Military chief on Monday to increase security and called on the residents to not venture near Ring I," Margono remarked here on Wednesday.

Margono also appealed to the people to stay at home to curb the spread of coronavirus, adding that the military and police will continue to make this call to residents.

"I observed that it was implemented in all regions. The military and police personnel are patrolling every day and night," he pointed out.

The number of COVID-19 patients at the Athletes Village that was readied to function as an emergency hospital has reached 144 as of Wednesday.

"The number of patients currently stands at 144, comprising 86 males and 58 females. Nine of them have tested positive for COVID-19," he stated.

The authority has designated 41 of them as persons under surveillance (ODP) and 94 others as patients under surveillance (PDP).

Margono has made assurance of adequate supply of self-protection equipment for medical workers.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) has established four Integrated Joint Task Commands to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

"The four commands will function as subunits of the task force for handling COVID-19," Margono revealed at a press conference here on Monday (March 23).

The four commands will be stationed at the Athletes Village in Kemayoran, Jakarta; Natuna Island, Riau Islands; Sebaru Island in Seribu Islands, Jakarta; and Galang Island in Riau Islands.

The Integrated Joint Task Command at the Athletes Village, comprising the TNI medical team unit, supporting unit to supply logistics, and security unit, commenced operations on Monday at 5 p.m. local time.

The command will involve personnel of the Army Elite Forces (Kopassus), Navy Marine Corps, and Air Force Specialized Force Corps (Paskhas).

"A total of 566 personnel will be deployed to the command at the Athlete Village," he stated. Related news: Jokowi to participate in Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders' Summit

Related news: COVID-19: Indonesia's death toll rises to 55


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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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