'Over 1,850 Indonesians overseas have contracted virus'

JAKARTA, Indonesia

At least 1,867 Indonesians living abroad have tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

A total of 1,348 of these patients have recovered, while 155 have died, the ministry said in a statement.

The most recent cases were reported in Kuwait, Singapore, and the Vatican, it added.

The highest number of COVID-19 cases among Indonesians abroad is 265 in Saudi Arabia, followed by Malaysia with 168, the statement said.

Multiple cases have also been reported among Indonesian citizens in Qatar, Kuwait, and the US, it added.

Indonesia on Friday reported 5,444 new cases and 104 new deaths, bringing the total number of infections to 457,735 and total fatalities in the country to 15,037.

* Writing by Rhany Chairunissa Rufinaldo from Anadolu Agency's Indonesian-language service in Jakarta