The Red Cross says Indonesia needs to urgently increase medical care, testing and vaccinations as the number of infections has left it “on the edge of a Covid-19 catastrophe”.
The group says its coronavirus hospital in Bogor, outside of Jakarta, was “overflowing” and emergency tents had been set up to house more patients. It was a similar scene at other hospitals near the capital, including at the Bekasi city hospital that reached 90% capacity.
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On Monday, Indonesia reported more than 20,600 new cases and more than 400 deaths in the world's fourth most populous nation.
The surge in Indonesia is considered in part because of the delta variant, which is thought to be more contagious. Indonesia has registered more than 21 lakh cases and more than 57,500 confirmed deaths, both the most in Southeast Asia.
Less than 5% of adults in the nation of 27 crore have been fully vaccinated. The Red Cross called for global action so countries such as Indonesia can get needed vaccines.