Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Indonesia reported on Sunday that 19,648 patients were under strict observation for suspected coronavirus infection, as lab tests were limited due to a lack of equipment.

Confirmed cases increased by 275 to a total of 8,882, including 743 deaths. But 65 more patients have recovered over the last 24 hours, so that a total of 1,107 patients have left hospitals since the Covid-19 outbreak in Indonesia was first detected in early March.

"This development suggests that transmissions continue to occur," the government's Covid-19 Task Force spokesman Achmad Yurianto said in a daily video conference in Jakarta.

"So far we have conducted polymerase chain reaction tests on more than 72,000 specimens from 56,974 people. From that figure, 8,882 people have tested positive for Covid-19," Achmad said, adding that 46 laboratories across the country were involved in the testing.

He said further more than 202,000 people are under surveillance for suspected coronavirus infections and ordered to self-isolate at home, and that 282 districts and municipalities in all 34 provinces are now affected by the outbreak.

Indonesia has grounded all commercial flights except for cargo deliveries and stopped railway services and sea transportation until the first week of June to contain the outbreak.

The annual exodus during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is also banned, with police and soldiers guarding provincial borders to stop vehicles and order all travelers to return to where they departed.

Last year, more than 19 million people left Greater Jakarta during the Ramadan exodus or mudik.

"Mudik is not allowed. There is a greater chance for you to catch Covid-19 during travelling because it's almost impossible to employ physical distancing when you're in public transportation, in rest stops or in public toilets," Achmad said.

"So just stay at home and keep your family safe. We also ask you to refrain from visiting hospitals for medical consultations other than Covid-19. Use telemedicine apps instead," he said.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-says-nearly-20000-patients-suspected-of-having-coronavirus