JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia plans to officially surpass a million cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, a grim milestone for Southeast Asian countries that have been struggling since March last year to take control on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world’s fourth-largest country recorded 999,256 coronavirus infections as of Monday, with the average daily increase running above 11,000 for more than a week, according to official data. Deaths from respiratory disease have reached 28,132.
These numbers are some of the highest in Asia but health experts believe the true spread is likely to be much worse.
The government began its vaccination program and tightened moves earlier in the month as hospitals came under heavy pressure.
Indonesia has been criticized for being among the lowest testing and communication detection rates worldwide, and for aiming to get vaccines at the expense of trying to implement health protocols.
Sabriyanti, a 42-year-old Jakarta resident, called on the government to impose stricter social distance rules.
“The government should be tougher, because we still see people and those who don’t wear masks,” she said.
Muhaimin Zega, a 20-year college student, said the government should “provide clear rules that people can understand”.
“We can’t blame all the people, it’s up to the government to control its people,” he said.
Reisa Broto Asmoro, the spokeswoman for the government’s COVID-19 action group, said 80% of people who caught the virus had completely recovered.
Reciting with Yuddy Cahya Budiman and Gayatri Suroyo; Edited by Stephen Coates