Indonesian Health Minister Tests Positive for COVID-19

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently fulfilling his duties in isolation until the symptoms disappear. Budi, 58, is relatively healthy, thanks to vaccination and booster programmes, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry added that while vaccination does not guarantee individuals to be completely free from COVID-19, it is highly effective in preventing severe symptoms and hospitalisation. President Joko Widodo appointed Budi as a health minister on Dec 23, 2020, to replace Terawan Agus Putranto. Indonesia recorded 2,871 new positive COVID-19 cases today, bringing cumulative cases to 6,349,175. -- BERNAMA