麻豆社

Indonesia has just reported almost 1,600 deaths - its highest daily figure during the pandemic, with the country in the grip of a concerning rise in new infections. The idea of the virus racing through a population of two hundred and seventy million is raising concerns that Indonesia could become a breeding ground for new variants

Ade Soekadis runs the Indonesian branch of the US Non-Governmental Organisation, Mercy Corps, and points to several other concerning factors: the country has a very low vaccination rate, with only 8% of the population double vaccinated, "exhausted and demotivated" medical staff and low levels of oxygen supplies. However, President Joko Widodo has been talking about lifting recently imposed restrictions, which the WHO is advising against. He says, "It is really concerning if we look at the numbers - of daily cases, positiivity rate, and the situation in the field, in the hospitals. It's really heartbreaking."

Photo: Workers take a break while burying Covid-19 victims in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 23, 2021 Credit: Reuters