Header Ads

What went wrong in Indonesia?

Here's the latest news from the global pandemic.

Indonesia's worrisome resurgence
 

There' s a growing sense in Indonesia that the current coronavirus resurgence is turning out worse than the last peak in January. Already, daily cases have tripled from May, and the number of deaths is climbing despite an ongoing vaccination program.

Hospital beds for Covid-19 patients are running out in the worst-hit country in Southeast Asia, even as the government keeps adding more. Jakarta, the epicenter of infections, this week buried a daily record number of people who died of the virus as hospital occupancy rates exceeded 80% across Java, the most populated island. Parliament had to delay some hearings as hundreds of staff caught the virus, something we didn't see earlier in the pandemic.

Many reasons brought us here. The government pushed conflicting policies, urging people to stay home while calling on civil servants to conduct their duties from Bali to revive the province's tourism-based economy. In May, millions flouted a ban on traveling over the Eid al-Fitr holidays for annual family reunions, as enforcement of movement curbs and mask mandates remained lax. Vaccination has been slow-going, hampered by supply disruptions due to shortages at Covax, the global vaccine-sharing program, and difficulties in reaching the elderly.

An Indonesian Red Cross Society vehicle sprays disinfectant along a street in Jakarta.

Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg

Indonesia has given out more than 40 million vaccine doses, equal to the population of Canada, but that amounts to less than 8% of people inoculated in the world's fourth-most populous country. President Joko Widodo wants 1 million shots given out each day starting in July, from about 700,000 now, as the program was recently opened to all adults.

For some, the resurgence could be enough to offset concerns over side effects. A day after another daily record number of infections, my father rushed to get his shot after months of refusal. For others, misinformation around people still testing positive after being inoculated (the vaccine aims to protect against death and severe illness, not infection), as well as preference for one brand over another, can continue to hamper the program.

The other question is how well the Sinovac shots, which Indonesia is mainly relying on, protect against the more infectious delta variant first identified in India. After showing promising results in an earlier real-world study, the current resurgence will serve as another key test for the Chinese-made vaccine that billions in the developing world are counting on.—Yudith Ho

Ask us anything

We want to know what you need to know. So ask us. Each week we will select one or two commonly asked questions and put them to our network of experts so you and your families can stay safe—and informed. Get in touch here or via CovidQs@bloomberg.net.

 

What you should read

Covid Vaccines Halted In Worst-Hit African Nation 
First-time inoculations stopped with only enough doses to complete courses.
Astra, Pfizer Shot Mix: Strong Immune Response
The finding could enable greater flexibility in the use of the scarce supplies.
England's Schools Prepare to Scrap Isolation Rule 
Daily contact testing may prevent disruption from class 'bubbles' going home.
Best New Hotels in London to Book This Summer
Countryside classics to urban game changers tempt visitors once rules relax. 
Abu Dhabi to Restrict Public Spaces to the Vaxxed 
Access to schools, gyms and shopping centers restricted from August 20. 

Know someone else who would like this newsletter? Have them sign up here.

Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story.

Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close.

No comments