JAKARTA (UCAN): Archbishop Anicetus Bongsu Antonius Sinaga, apostolic administrator of Sibolga, North Sumatra in Indonesia, and Father Alboin Simatupang, a diocesan priest both tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on October 19 Father Blasius Super Yesse, the diocesan secretary said in a YouTube message.
The 79-year-old archbishop becomes the high ranking Church official in the country to have contracted Covid-19 after Archbishop Kornelius Sipayung of Medan, also in North Sumatra, who tested positive in July.
Father Yesse said Archbishop Sinaga fell sick after celebrating the ordination of a deacon on October 15 in St. Therese of Lisieux Cathedral.
“The bishop was admitted to St. Melania Sarudik Clinic and treated there. But his health remained bad so he was later taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Medan on October 16 and treated by a special team of doctors,” Father Yesse said.
“The priest (Father Simatupang) is also being treated at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Medan,” he said.
Father Yesse called for prayers for the recovery of both the bishop and the priest as well as all people who contract Covid-19 as “our prayers are medicine for those suffering from sickness.”
He also said that those who had direct contact with Bishop Sinaga and Father Alboin within the past week should go into self-isolation or seek medical advice.
As of October 19, Indonesia had recorded 365,240 Covid-19 cases and 12,617 deaths. North Sumatra had 11,944 cases and 499 deaths.
