Overcrowded hospitals, a lack of oxygen and people dying alone in quarantine. This is what everyday corona has been like in Indonesia since the number of infections went through the roof.
Despite lockdown and strict rules, Indonesia is not getting its worst corona wave under control. The authorities reported 1,338 Covid deaths within 24 hours on Monday – more than ever since the pandemic began. Last week, around 57,000 new infections were recorded in the country with a population of 270 million.
Indonesia has overtaken the USA, Brazil and India – where the numbers are declining – as global leaders. The main reason is the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. In addition, just 40 million citizens received their first vaccination, only 16 million people are fully vaccinated. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin urged people to comply with the measures and wear masks.
Overcrowded hospitals, lots of bodies
At the end of June, the Red Cross warned of a collapse of the health system in the fourth most populous country on earth. Many hospitals on the densely populated island of Java are now completely overburdened, and life-saving oxygen is scarce. Some patients wait days in tents and hallways to be admitted to an infirmary – many others die in isolation at home.
Hundreds of people who tested positive died in quarantine in their homes, reports the independent platform LaporCovid-19. Undertakers have trouble keeping up with the funerals.
So is Wirawan, a firefighter in Jakarta. Instead of fighting fires, he and his colleagues are responsible for bringing Covid dead from their homes and burying them. “Often call us [ihre] Neighbors and say, ‘This person was not seen during their self-isolation’ “, reports Wirawan der. Then he and his team already know that they have found the next body.” That is the case we see every day, “says Before the recent surge in cases, he’s had two or three funerals a day – now it’s up to 24.
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo said Tuesday he would extend corona restrictions at least until Monday as the country celebrates a muted Eid al-Adha – one of the most important Muslim festivals. “It’s a very difficult situation,” he said in a video address. “But with our joint efforts, God willing, we will soon be free of Covid-19 and people’s social and economic activities can return to normal.”
“”, with DPA
