Those in need of intensive treatment can be taken to an existing hospital. COVID-19 patients, who do not need intensive treatment, can be treated at home by conducting independent isolation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the Ministry of Health to bring about improvements in the clinical management of COVID-19 patients.

"The handling of COVID-19 patients should be completely regulated. COVID-19 patients, with mild to moderate symptoms, can be treated at the Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital," the president stated at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday during a limited meeting held via video teleconference to discuss countermeasures to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a joint meeting with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, ministers of the Advanced Indonesian Cabinet, and chair of the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling as well as Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo, the president stated that only patients in need of intensive care should be hospitalized.

"Those in need of intensive treatment can be taken to an existing hospital. COVID-19 patients, who do not need intensive treatment, can be treated at home by conducting independent isolation," he explained.

The head of state also stressed on the significance of continually disseminating information to the public on preventing the transmission of the new type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

"Technical aspects that might need to be conveyed are also the use of masks, maintaining safe distance, and partial isolation. Such efforts can prevent the further spread of COVID-19," he stated.

Until Sunday (Apr 12), the number of COVID-19 positive patients in Indonesia had reached 4,241, with 359 people being cured and 373 people dying of the virus.

COVID-19 has swept across 34 provinces in Indonesia, with the highest number of cases reported in DKI Jakarta, reaching 2,044, followed by 450 in West, 386 in East Java, 281 in Banten, 200 in Central Java, 222 in South Sulawesi, 81 in Bali, 65 in North Sumatra, 48 in Yogyakarta, 63 in Papua, 37 in West Nusa Tenggara, and 35 in East Kalimantan.
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Translator: Desca L, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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