18 doctors die of COVID-19 in Indonesia

The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) on Sunday reported that a total of 18 doctors, who had treated patients infected by the novel coronavirus, have died in the country.

The doctors had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and in the status of patients under surveillance of the virus, IDI's spokesman Halik Malik said.

The practitioners were believed to be infected while treating patients of COVID-19 in hospitals, he said.

Regarding the lack of protective equipment, the spokesman said that paramedics and hospitals have been trying to fulfill the needs.

He expects all the needs could be met to make the paramedics focus on performing their tasks, local media reported.

The Indonesian Health Ministry on Sunday reported seven new deaths of COVID-19, making the total death toll to 198.

A total of 181 new cases have been confirmed, putting the total to 2,273 in the country, the government's spokesman for novel coronavirus-related matters Achmad Yurianto said.

The government has ordered citizens to wear cloth face masks when going out, citing that many asymptomatic cases have been found.

"Everybody must wear face masks. Surgical and N-95 masks are only for paramedics," he said.