Tegal, C Java (ANTARA) - Tegal District Head Umi Azizah tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), though her condition generally remains stable, according to the district administration.

To prevent others from contracting the disease, Azizah was hospitalized at the Dr Soeselo Slawi Public Hospital for COVID-19 treatment since Tuesday

Before being admitted to the hospital, Azizah had conducted self-isolation at her residence after having exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 on May 26, 2021.

Four days later, Azizah requested a swab test from the Dr Soeselo Slawi Public Hospital's medical workers, and its result confirmed that she had contracted the infection.

Based on this swab testing result, Azizah requested to get hospitalized to enable her to receive proper medical treatment.

However, Azizah’s condition is currently improving, according to Secretary of the Tegal district administration Mulyono.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak initially struck the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019 and thereafter spread to various parts of the world, including countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Indonesian government announced the country's first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.

Since then, the central and regional governments have made persistent efforts to flatten the coronavirus curve by enforcing healthcare protocols and social restrictions.

To break the chain of transmission of COVID-19, which had impacted the purchasing power of scores of families in Indonesia, the government also banned homebound travel, or "mudik," ahead of this year's Eid al-Fitr holiday season akin to last year.

According to Vice Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono, a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia in the wake of the Eid al-Fitr festivity would peak in mid-June of 2021.

Currently, Indonesia's total count of COVID-19 cases had exceeded 1.8 million amid the government's serious endeavors to win the fight against the pandemic that has acutely impacted its economy and public health.

As part of its efforts to win the fight, the Indonesian government has begun a nationwide vaccination program to contain infections since January 13, 2021.

The Indonesian Health Ministry had pegged the vaccination of some 181.5 million people under the national program to take about 15 months. Related news: Indonesia adds 5,662 COVID-19 cases, 5,121 recoveries
Related news: Simeulue district head recovers from COVID-19 after self-isolation


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Translator: Kutnadi, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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