Covid Positive Filipino Crew Member Dies in Indonesia Hospital

CILACAP, KOMPAS.com – A Filipino crew member has died at a hospital in Cilacap, Indonesia’s Central Java, after he had tested positive for Covid-19, an official confirmed on Tuesday, May 11.

Cilacap administration secretary Farid Maruf said the crew member identified by the initial DRQ passed away when the 50-year-old was treated in the Cilacap Regional General Hospital.

“The patient had been treated in the Cilacap Regional General Hospital since April 30, 2021, and had died on Tuesday at 02:25 am local time,” said Farid in a statement on Tuesday.

Farid said that currently the body is kept in the Cilacap Regional Hospital as the ship company representative is still coordinating with the Philippine Embassy and the family.

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“We are still waiting for the results whether the body will be buried in Indonesia or cremated here before the ashes are taken to the Philippines,” Farid said, adding that following Health Ministerial Decree No. 424/2007, remains of a person who died from an infectious disease cannot be taken out of Indonesia territory.

Farid went on to add that on May 5, DRQ experienced breathing difficulties and low oxygen saturation. He was then transferred to the intensive care unit for treating Covid-19 patients on May 7. But, his condition was unstable and signs of respiratory failure appeared. The health condition has got worse on May 10. The medical team had done maximum care for saving the patient’s life but the patient died.

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“At 02:15 am local time, the patient had a sudden cardiac arrest, and actions had been taken to support the heart function, but the patient did not respond. At 02:25 am, the patient was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty,” said Farid.

DRQ was one of 14 Filipino crew members who had tested positive for Covid-19 when berthed at Indonesia’s port of Tanjung Intan in Cilacap, Central Java. Previously, the ship carrying refined sugar sailed from India on April 14, 2021, and arrived at Cilacap on April 25.

(Writer: Fadlan Mukhtar Zain | Editor: Dony Aprian)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/05/11/131719378/satu-abk-asal-filipina-yang-positif-covid-19-di-cilacap-meninggal-dunia.