Indonesia criticises US study concerns over no coronavirus cases
Jakarta: Indonesia has criticised a US study questioning why the world’s fourth most populous nation had not yet recorded a case of coronavirus, calling the findings an insult and insisting it was on high alert.
The virus has killed more than 1,100 people in China and spread to dozens of countries around the world — but the Southeast Asian nation of more than 260 million has not reported a confirmed case since the outbreak.
A study by Harvard University public health researchers this week found Indonesia should have reported a coronavirus outbreak and could have undetected cases given its extensive air links to China and the city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.
Indonesian health minister Terawan Agus Putranto called the Harvard report “insulting” late Tuesday and said the country had proper testing equipment.
“They can be baffled but it’s a fact” there are no cases, he told reporters in Jakarta.
“I am just telling you like it is.
“Hopefully there won’t be any cases and we will keep praying, but we’re being vigilant at the highest level.”
The Harvard study also added that Indonesia’s surveillance efforts should be “rapidly strengthened”. – AFP