Indonesia confirms 81 new coronavirus cases, six more deaths

JAKARTA: Indonesia has confirmed 81 new coronavirus cases and six more deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 450 and deaths to 38, a health ministry official told reporters on Saturday (Mar 21).

This comes a day after the governor of Jakarta declared a state of emergency in the Indonesian capital for the next two weeks over the coronavirus outbreak as the death toll in the country climbed to the highest in Southeast Asia.

Of the 38 deaths, 23 were recorded in Jakarta, seven in West Java, three were in Central Java, two in Banten and one each in Bali, East Java and North Sumatra, Bernama said.

The governor of Jakarta on Friday declared a state of emergency for the next two weeks in the Indonesian capital.

READ: Ignoring government appeals, some Jakarta mosques hold Friday prayers

Governor Anies Baswedan said that public entertainment such as bars, spas and cinemas would be shut from Monday and public transportation limited. He urged companies to let staff work from home.

“Our medical teams across Jakarta are dealing with a great number of people. Our response capability has a limit because the numbers of hospitals and staff are not in line with the growth of cases,” he said.

Baswedan said he would provide support for people who relied on a daily salary.

Jakarta has suspended religious activities, such as Islamic Friday prayers and Christian services, for two weeks.

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