18 doctors die of Covid-19 in Indonesia

Staff inspecting medical equipments at an emergency hospital set up amid the coronavirus outbreak in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) on Sunday (April 5) reported that a total of 18 doctors, who had treated patients infected by the virus, have died in the country. - AP

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) on Sunday (April 5) reported that a total of 18 doctors, who had treated patients infected by the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, have died in the country.

The doctors had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus and in the status of patients under surveillance of the virus, IDI's spokesman Halik Malik said.

The practitioners were believed to be infected while treating patients of the virus in hospitals, he said.

Regarding the lack of protective equipment, the spokesman said that paramedics and hospitals have been trying to fulfill the needs.

He expects all the needs could be met to make the paramedics focus on performing their tasks, local media reported.

The Indonesian Health Ministry on Sunday reported seven new deaths of Covid-19, making the total death toll to 198.

A total of 181 new cases have been confirmed, putting the total to 2,273 in the country, the government's spokesman for novel coronavirus-related matters Achmad Yurianto said.

The government has ordered citizens to wear cloth face masks when going out, citing that many asymptomatic cases have been found.

"Everybody must wear face masks. Surgical and N-95 masks are only for paramedics," he said. - Xinhua/Asian News Network