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Indonesia's COVID-19 death toll hits 2,000 as cases continue to rise
The number of COVID-19 fatalities reached 2,000 on Thursday, as confirmed cases exceeded 35,000 amid plans by the central government to gradually ease restrictions ahead of the so-called "new normal".
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Healthcare workers take a swab sample from a passenger at a commuter train station in Bogor near Jakarta on May 11. (REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana)
The number of fatalities linked to COVID-19 in Indonesia reached 2,000 on Thursday, as the number of confirmed cases continues to rise amid plans by the central government to gradually ease restrictions ahead of the so-called "new normal".
Providing daily updates on COVID-19 cases, Health Ministry's disease control and prevention director general Achmad Yurianto announced 979 new positive cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed infections nationwide to 35,259.
He also reported 41 new fatalities linked to the disease, taking the total death toll to 2,000.
Over the past few days, the Southeast Asian country has recorded a significant increase in daily reported cases, with its highest 24-hour increase reported on Wednesday with 1,241 new cases.
The spike came as the country began its transition into the "new normal" as the government seeks to reignite the economy after COVID-19 restrictions and partial lockdowns were imposed in a number of regions in recent months.
While the rise in new cases could be the result of increased testing, critics say the data show the health crisis is not yet over and that easing restrictions may cause a spike in infections.
In East Java, for instance, authorities have decided not to extend large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the provincial capital of Surabaya and its satellite regencies of Gresik and Sidoarjo, and have instead imposed two weeks of transitional restrictions ahead of the implementation of “new normal” measures, despite the province replacing Jakarta as the country’s newest COVID-19 epicenter.
The capital begin its transition period on Monday with the reopening of offices, houses of worship and some workplaces, while extending large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to the end of June.
The Jakarta administration has also allowed public transportation and app-based ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers to resume normal operations. Many commuters have expressed concerns over their safety as crowded public transportation is considered fertile ground for coronavirus transmission.
