The coronavirus is spreading rapidly through Indonesia and Jakarta is the epicenter with between 6,000 and 9,000 new infections every day. The numbers are also rising rapidly in other cities on Java, the most populous island of the country, such as Bandung, Yogyakarta and Solo.
Hundreds of deaths a day
Across Indonesia, an average of nearly 500 people a day died from the coronavirus last week, according to official figures. Although the number of corona deaths is probably higher in reality, because the registration leaves something to be desired and the hastily opened cemeteries barely able to cope with the death toll. On Java and the popular holiday island of Bali, stricter corona measures have been in force since Saturday and people should stay at home as much as possible.
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The more contagious delta variant, discovered in India, is largely responsible for this advance, coupled with the large-scale family visits during the Eid in May. The corona wave is now delivering poignant images from patients who are on the drip in front of the hospital on the sidewalk or in the back of cars. Images reminiscent of the severe corona wave in India, this spring.
No oxygen
Several hospitals in the major cities do not have enough beds to handle the flow of patients. “This is also the case in my South Jakarta area,” said Kireina, who works as a financial manager for a security company. “My neighbor, an elderly man, died due to the poor treatment of the hospital, where there was no oxygen or ventilator available.”
In her immediate environment of family, neighbors, colleagues and customers at work, people become infected every day. Kireina: “I am very concerned, especially now that the virus is getting closer to my acquaintances and friends. But the best thing I can do is stay calm and stay at home as long as possible. I consider myself lucky that I can work from home. Many other Jakartans have not that lucky, especially people from the middle and lower classes.”
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‘Catastrophe on the way’
Last week, the Red Cross sounded the alarm about the situation. According to the aid organization, Indonesia is heading through the delta variant heading for a catastrophe. In the city of Bogor, just south of Jakarta, the organization has set up emergency tents to treat the sick.
Two things are needed to contain the corona wave, says Antony Balmain, spokesperson for the Red Cross in Asia. He tells RTL Nieuws: “Oxygen supplies are crucial to treat the sick and prevent people from dying. The demand for oxygen has increased enormously here in recent days. In addition, corona measures such as wearing mouth caps and vaccination are of great importance.”
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But the vaccination of the population has so far only started slowly and with difficulty. Just over 5 percent of the population is now fully vaccinated, almost 12 percent has received a first corona jab. Indonesia mainly vaccinates with the Chinese vaccines Sinopharm and Sinovac, which are known to be effective is a lot lower. The Netherlands has also promised to send 3 million vaccines to Indonesia, al is still unclear when exactly.
According to Kireina, many of her compatriots are still skeptical about getting vaccinated. “Not all Indonesians are rational. Many of them still believe that Covid-19 is a conspiracy and so they refuse a vaccine provided by the government.”
Her friend Alma (27), legal advisor at a local meal delivery company, sees an increasing willingness to vaccinate around her. “I think people are getting more excited because vaccination centers are now open everywhere and for almost all ages. The government is targeting 1 million vaccines a day, while our population is over 270 million. So it will certainly take some time, but we are optimistic. “
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