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COVID-19: Jokowi forms fast-response team to contain virus
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A security guard enters the COVID-19 observation ward in the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital in North Jakarta on March 4, 2020. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja/)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has formed a fast-response team led by National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Doni Monardo to handle efforts to prevent wider contagion of the fast-spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Under the coordination of the BNPB, the Health Ministry, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police, the team was tasked with spearheading measures to trace the movement of COVID-19 patients and those who had come in contact with them.
"We know that this virus spreads rapidly. Thus we should carry out prevention and mitigation efforts simultaneously," Jokowi said on Friday. "The government has and will continue to carry out contact tracing in this case."
The fast-response team is also responsible for handling the surveillance and isolation of suspected COVID-19 patients and coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective containment measures to curb possible wider contagion, including at the country's entry points.
The establishment of the fast-response team was mandated by Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 4/2019 on the improvement of the capability to prevent, detect and respond to plague, global pandemics and nuclear, biological and chemical security.
As of Friday, coronavirus cases in Indonesia have jumped to 69. Four patients have died in isolation treatment. (gis)
