Apriza Pinandita, Jakarta – As many as 563 COVID-19 cases in Indonesia have been recorded among foreigners living in the country, with almost 100 currently receiving treatment, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi has said.
During a virtual press briefing on Wednesday, Retno said 98 foreigners were receiving treatment for COVID-19 at local hospitals, while 306 others were in quarantine.
"Fifteen people have died and 144 others have recovered," Retno said. "The Foreign Ministry is consistently communicating with relevant embassies in Jakarta to give updates regarding their citizens," she said.
As of Wednesday, Indonesian health authorities had recorded 9,511 cases of COVID-19, with 773 fatalities. At least 1,254 patients have recovered.
She explained that 597 Indonesian nationals abroad had tested positive, with 383 currently receiving treatment, 179 having recovered and 35 having died.
Retno reiterated that protecting foreign nationals in the country during the pandemic was a key focus of Indonesia's foreign policy.
Citing previous directives from President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo regarding COVID-19 countermeasures, Retno said that Indonesia had stepped up its efforts to increase the country's COVID-19 testing and tracing capacities.
The foreign minister also updated the media about the progress of the Global Solidarity Trial, an initiative by the World Health Organization that aims to develop therapeutic drugs for COVID-19. So far, she said, 22 hospitals in Indonesia are participating in the trial.