"He is healthy and is currently participating in an internal cabinet meeting. Here, we are still in the meeting," Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara stated when contacted here.
President Jokowi routinely holds limited cabinet meetings using videoconference facilities in which Indonesian ministers participate from the confines of their respective offices or homes.
Sumadi participated in the limited cabinet meeting for the first time since being declared ill in mid-March 2020.
"This is the first meeting that he has attended. He is expected to remain healthy," Batubara noted.
Sumadi is the 76th patient of COVID-19 in Indonesia. On March 14, 2020, State Secretary Minister Pratikno announced that Budi Karya had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Sumadi then underwent treatment at the Central Army Hospital (RSPAD) Gatot Soebroto. Before being treated at the Army Hospital, Sumadi was treated at a private hospital with indications of typhus.
Sumadi had conducted a series of work visits out of town for several days to Toraja, Luwuk, Wakatobi, Makassar, Parepare, Kertajati, and Indramayu before falling ill.
He was last spotted at the presidential palace attending a limited meeting on March 11, 2020.
As a result, President Jokowi and others ministers had to undergo COVID-19 tests at the Army Hospital.
On April 15, 2020, Special Staff of the Minister of Transportation Adita Irawati stated that Sumadi had returned from the Army Hospital and back home but had yet to self-isolate for 14 days in accordance with the doctor's directives. Related news: Jakarta's Persija raises Rp310 million from campaign to fight COVID-19
Related news: Riau's Arifin Achmad Hospital received 521 COVID-19 swab samples
Translator: Desca LN, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
