The country’s first two confirmed COVID-19 patients, identified as Case 1 and 2, are in stable condition and showing signs of improving after five days of treatment at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital’s (RSPI) isolation ward in North Jakarta.

RSPI president director Mouhammad Syahril said on Friday the two patients had been able to communicate with their friends and family outside the hospital through text messages and video calls.

“They are generally in a good condition […] As of today [Friday], alhamdulillah [praise God], they no longer have a fever,” RSPI president director Mohammad Syahril said, adding that the patients’ shortness of breath and coughing had also improved.

“They can eat by themselves without being fed, they can change their clothes and go to the bathroom without any assistance from their family or nurses."

Read also: Five COVID-19 suspects still isolated, waiting for conditions to improve: Ministry

The patients’ vitals, including blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature, are normal, he added.

Syahril went on to say that the two patients had a greater chance of recovery because they had no underlying medical issues.

“The mother [Case 2] is 64 years old. It will be more difficult for elderly patients [to recover]. However, her progress is an indicator that she will recover.”

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced on Monday that a 31-year-old woman, or Case 1, and her 64-year-old mother had tested positive for COVID-19. Case 1 contracted the virus from a Japanese woman who later tested positive in Malaysia in late February. (nal)