High number of detainees, prisoners infected with Covid-19 in Indonesia


A worker is spraying disinfectant as part of measures against the Covid-19 (coronavirus) at a prison in Banda Aceh. A total of 124 detainees and prisoners in Indonesia have tested positive for the virus, according to the Directorate General of Corrections Indonesia of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. - AFP
JAKARTA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua): A total of 124 detainees and prisoners in Indonesia have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the Directorate General of Corrections Indonesia of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights on Monday.

Rika Aprianti, the directorate's head of public relations, said that the detainees and prisoners got infected by correctional officers.

"Those who were confirmed positive for Covid-19 were isolated and taken to referral hospitals," Aprianti said.

The number of prisoners and detainees in Indonesia has exceeded the capacity of the prisons, the official added.

According to the directorate at its website, the eight detention centers and prisons located in Jakarta, with a total capacity of 5,791 people, currently host 14,776 inmates. Meanwhile, three more indonesian doctors have recently died of Covid-19, bringing the death toll of doctors to 130 till Saturday, the indonesian Medical Association said on Sunday.

"Losing health workers is a big loss for a nation," said Ari Kusuma, deputy chairman of the association's mitigation team.

Of the 130 doctors, 67 were general practitioners and 61 were specialists, and two were of residency.

In addition, 92 nurses have died of the disease, according to the indonesian National Nurses Association. - Xinhua

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read