As the death toll in China continues to increase due to the corona virus, the Indonesian government has also stepped up prevention efforts, including ensuring an adequate virus detection process is in progress. Previously, there were a number of cases of suspected corona virus infection, including in Jakarta, as well as in several other areas such as Sorong in West Papua, Manado in North Sulawesi, to Jambi and Bali. Among the latest cases also included in Bandung, West Java, where Hasan Sadikin Hospital, which is one of the referral hospitals related to corona virus, is awaiting test results from two patients who are being observed. One of the patients included a Chinese citizen who was being treated in an isolation room at the hospital.
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health’s Research and Development Center is the only party that can confirm the existence of a new type of virus. The Ministry of Health had previously confirmed that there were 100 referral hospitals that were able to treat patients if indeed there was a confirmed infection with the virus that was first detected last month in Wuhan. The death toll in China from the corona virus has risen to 80, according to data earlier this week. Nearly 3,000 people have been confirmed to have contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last week said the corona novel virus epidemic is a crisis in China and has not yet become a global health emergency. Even so, Director General of Disease Prevention and Control Anung Sugihantono said that the government was raising awareness at all national entrances. Apart from using body temperature scanners, said Anung, quarantine officers from the Port Health Office have also begun to take more proactive steps and check into the aircraft if needed. To protect its people, the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Transportation closed flights to Wuhan, China and also the appeal or advice of Indonesian citizens of Indonesian citizens who will travel to China through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are encouraged to increase caution and avoid areas that have been exposed or potentially exposed to the corona virus.
