President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has appealed to Indonesians to stay calm and patient in facing the COVID-19 ordeal.

"Let us face this ordeal calmly and patiently. Panic is half the illness, calm is half the medicine, and patience is the starting point for healing," President Jokowi remarked at the Merdeka Palace here on Thursday in his opening remarks during a videoconferencing event titled "National Prayer and Humanity".

He also called on the people to always pray to Allah, the Almighty, for help; for the protection of the people, nation, and state; as well as for the COVID-19 pandemic to end.

President Jokowi conceded to the fact that the people in Indonesia and around the world are facing a barrage of ordeals, reeling from difficult times, and struggling to break free from the shackles of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This coronavirus outbreak has spread rapidly to more than 213 countries, and nearly 4.4 million people worldwide are infected with this coronavirus. Scores are lying in hospitals, many others are undergoing independent isolation, several are returning to Rahmatullah (the Most Merciful), and hopefully, their deaths are Husnul Khotimah (a good end) Aamiin. However, Alhamdulillah (thank Allah), many have recovered," the president remarked.

In the wake of such tumultuous times, President Jokowi has called on the Indonesian people to not despair or become pessimistic.

Vice President KH Ma'ruf Amin, Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi, and Chair of the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Response, as well as Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo, among others, partook in a joint prayer held to coincide with "World Prayer Day".

Other participants comprised six religious leaders: Confucian leader Budi Tanuwibowo, Buddhist leader Sri Pannyavaro Mahathera, Hindu leader Ida Pedanda Nabe Gede Bang Buruan Manuaba, Catholic leader Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo, Christian leader Ronny Mandang, and Islamic leader Quraish Shihab.

Until Wednesday (May 12), the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Indonesia had reached 15,438. A total of 3,287 people recovered, while the death toll had touched 1,028.

The number of patients under surveillance (PDP) reached 33,042, while patients under monitoring (ODP) totaled 256,299 people, and a total of 169,195 specimens were tested.

COVID-19 cases were found in 34 provinces in Indonesia, with Jakarta having the highest, at 5,554 cases; followed by 1,772 in East Java; 1,556 in West Java, 1,023 in Central Java, 803 in South Sulawesi, 580 in Banten, 344 in West Nusa Tenggara, 332 in Bali, 328 in Papua, 322 in South Sumatra, 291 in South Kalimantan, and 230 in East Kalimantan. (ANTARA)