Ministry spokesperson Agung Tri Prasetyo confirmed here on Tuesday that Artati Widiarti, director general for strengthening the competitiveness of marine and fishery products, has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
She was exposed to the virus on September 8, 2020, he said.
On September 24, 2020, she once again underwent a test, but the result remained positive, hence her treatment has been continued, he informed.
Another director general, Slamet Soebjakto, who is in charge of aquaculture affairs, has also tested positive for COVID-19, he said.
Soebjakto, who is asymptomatic, is self-isolating right now, he added.
Earlier, the ministry's director general for marine spatial management affairs, Aryo Hanggono, had died of COVID-19 on Monday morning (September 28, 2020).
Hanggono was exposed to COVID-19 after making working visits to several regions with Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo, who also contracted the disease.
During a working visit to East Kalimantan, Hanggono attended several events with Minister Prabowo, including the release of hatchlings in Maratua, one of the outermost small islands in the province.
Minister Prabowo's entourage, comprising director general of PRL, Hanggono, was present for several days at the start of the first week of September this year.
After returning from the working visits, Minister Prabowo had reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
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Translator: M Razi Rahman, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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