"Having observed the symptoms that he suffered (from), he might have been infected with COVID-19," he told local journalists in Sidoarjo, East Java province, on Saturday.
Irawan said Syaifudin had asked him to perform a chest X-ray (CXR) around 2 p.m. local time on Wednesday after experiencing cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
Based on the thorax photo, Syaifudin was diagnosed with pneumonia and advised to get hospitalized, he said.
However, Syaifudin, who was scheduled to attend a plenary session with members of the district's legislative body, requested Irawan to prescribe him medicines instead.
Irawan said although Thursday and Friday were holidays, he sent Syaifudin a message over WhatsApp, inquiring after his health, but did not receive any reply.
At 8.30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Syaifudin called and said he was ready to be hospitalized, Irawan revealed.
At 9 a.m. the same day, paramedics picked up Syaifudin from his residence and brought him to the Sidoarjo Public Hospital, where he received medical treatment. But, he passed away at 3.30 p.m. local time, Irawan said.
Syaifudin was officially sworn in as the acting head of Sidoardjo district on January 14, 2020.
Coronavirus infections initially surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019.
Since then, COVID-19 has spread to over 215 countries and territories, including Indonesia, with a massive spurt in death toll.
As of early this week, Indonesia's COVID-19 case count had reached 141,370, with 94,458 patients making a full recovery, and 6,207 others succumbing to the virus.
Indonesia is making all-out efforts to develop a vaccine to fight the virus that has triggered public health and economic crises in all affected countries.
The pandemic has severely affected Indonesia's economy: the nation’s gross domestic product contracted 5.32 percent in the second quarter of this year.
The government has stressed on the criticality of solid support of and active participation from all elements of the society to handle the crises of public health and economy.
Indonesia's sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has expressed confidence in the nation's capability to resolve and steer through the twin crises as long as it stands united.
To this end, he has advised the government to lead and assist the people, while, at the same time, urging the public to fully support the government and fulfill mandatory duties. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Indra S, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
