Jakarta Vice Governor Ahmad Riza Patria has tested positive for COVID-19, the politician has confirmed, following a likely virus transmission from a staffer.
The vice governor, who is popularly known by his nickname Ariza, said he took a swab test on Thursday, which came out negative, and another on Friday, which came out positive.
“So [the transmission] came from my work environment, where a member of my staff was infected by their family cluster. This comes to remind us to uphold health protocol discipline,” Ariza said in an official statement yesterday.
Ariza said he is not exhibiting serious symptoms and is now in self-isolation.
In his statement, Ariza did not make an explicit connection between his diagnosis and the fact that he met with Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab shortly after the latter’s return to Indonesia. Dozens who attended mass rallies by FPI in honor of the firebrand cleric have since tested positive for COVID-19.
Rizieq himself was hospitalized in Bogor last week, with those close to him citing exhaustion as the reason. Rizieq has reportedly escaped from the hospital amid pressure from the Bogor city administration to have him undergo a swab test, fueling growing speculation that he and FPI are covering up his actual condition.
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