Another Indonesian cabinet minister has been confirmed to be COVID-19-positive while the republic has today recorded 4,176 new cases, the highest number since the first case was reported on March 2, 2020.

Minister of Religious Affairs, Facrul Razi is the third minister to have been infected with the virus after undergoing a swab test on Sept 17.

"Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), physically he is alright so far, no worrying symptoms, and is undergoing quarantine,” said the minister’s special officer, Kevin Haikal in a statement today.

Last March 14, Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi was confirmed to be COVID-19-positive, but has recovered from the infection after receiving intensive treatment at the Gatot Soebroto Army Central Hospital, here.

Then on Sept 8, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo was also confirmed as a positive case and now reported to be recuperating after being treated at the same hospital.

Based on the Indonesian government’s official website on COVID-19, www.covid19.go.id today, the total number of positive cases in the republic has reached 248,852 while 108,880 patients are being monitored for the viral infection.

Between noon yesterday and noon today, 124 more deaths occurred, bringing the total number to 9,677.

Meanwhile, PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI), the operator of Commuter Line trains, stated in its official Twitter account today that those wearing a scuba mask or neck gaiter (also known as buff) would be prohibited from using the service.

Users of the normal train and Commuter Line train services are urged to wear the N95 or medical face mask to curb COVID-19 infection.

Jakarta province which has again come under the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) order for two weeks starting Sept 14, still has the highest total number of positive cases with 63,318 including 1,352 new cases, while East Java has the highest death toll with 2,990.

-- BERNAMA