(Jakarta) Indonesia announced on Monday that it had passed the 59 00 0 cases of coronavirus, doctors warning that the situation is “not under control”.
Posted on 27 July 2020 at 8 o'clock50
France Media Agency
The archipelago, 4 e most populous country in the world with nearly 270 million inhabitants, recorded more than 1000 new infections every day since the relaxation of containment measures this month.
The end of these restrictions was intended to prevent the collapse of Southeast Asia's largest economy.
The country counted Monday a total of 100 303 cases of COVID – 08 and 4838 death. But with one of the lowest testing rates in the world, the overall scope of the epidemic could be much greater there.
According to health officials, several hundred children have potentially died of the disease, most of the suspected victims being buried without being tested.
Indonesia is one of the most affected countries in Asia and has cases in each of its 34 provinces .
Demonstrations against social distancing measures, but also against tests took place in several parts of the country, including the very touristy island of Bali.
On the other hand, some detractors criticize the signs of relaxation of Indonesians in the face of the epidemic with regard to the government's “new normal” policy.
“This (policy) is misleading and could lead people to believe that the virus is under control, when it is not,” said the spokesperson for the Indonesian Physicians Association, Halik Malik.
Critics point in particular to the reopening of offices in the capital Jakarta as responsible for the resurgence of cases while restaurants, shopping centers, and tourist places are also reopening.
“We are intensifying our efforts to educate the public on the importance of changing their habits for the better through social distancing, wearing a mask and good hygiene”, argued the Indonesian Red Cross who hired 7000 volunteers across the country.
President Joko Widodo has demanded an increase in the number of tests, threatening to reshuffle his cabinet if the ministers do not improve their management of the crisis. Joko Widodo has also been criticized for his slow response to the crisis.
