Domain Registration

Why does Indonesia have a high COVID-19 mortality rate?

  • March 28, 2020

On Friday , Indonesia recorded 153 coronavirus cases – the biggest single-day increase so far in the Southeast Asian country, according to the Health Ministry.

On Friday, the number of coronavirus infections in Indonesia rose to over 1,000, and 87 deaths were reported.

Although the number of fatalities is not particularly high, the ratio of deaths when compared to infections is alarmingly steep – around 8%. The highest COVID-19 mortality rate has been recorded in Italy with 9%, while Iran’s mortality rate is at 7.8%, followed by Spain at 6%.

Last week, the Health Ministry admitted that the death ratio in the country is much higher than the global average mortality rate – 4%. Yurianto said the situation could still be brought under control with the implementation of safety measures.

Read more: Coronavirus: Rush to develop rapid tests

“The figure is indeed high, yet it is a fluctuating figure. At any time the number of new cases might increase rapidly, but hopefully no one will die as a result of the disease,” the Health Ministry spokesperson told a press conference on Thursday.

Most COVID-19 victims are people aged between 45 and 65 years, with a history of diseases like hypertension, diabetes and heart problems, Yurianto added.

Unlike other countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, Indonesia has so far not imposed a countrywide lockdown to contain the virus’s spread.

  • Cook Islands Rarotonga Auswirkungen der Corona-Krise auf den Tourismus (picture-alliance/Bildagentur-online/DeFreitas)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Repatriation mission will take at least two more weeks

    The repatriation process for Germans stranded abroad is ongoing. Until now, main destinations such as Egypt or Morocco have been addressed. “It will be more difficult with countries that only have small groups of scattered adventure vacationers,” said the crisis manager of the German Foreign Office. Tourists in the Pacific Islands must first be rounded up in New Zealand and then flown out.

  • Checkpoints in Thailand (picture-alliance/ZUMAPRESS/SOPA images/Y. Kongprasert)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Thailand closes its borders

    After long delays Thailand closed its borders on Thursday (March 26). The authorities had delayed the decision for a long time to safeguard the tourism sector. Now tens of thousands of tourists are stuck in the Southeast Asian tourist country. The German government has so far not organized a repatriation for German tourists, as Thailand is not considered a risk region.

  • Coronavirus Mallorca Spanien Flughafen (picture-alliance/dpa/C. Margais)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Huge repatrition drive

    The German foreign ministry announced on Wednesday (March 25) that, together with tour operators, it had brought back more than 150,000 Germans from abroad. Tour operator TUI added that almost 95 percent of the tourists who were stranded because of the coronavirus pandemic are now back in Germany. They were mainly flown out from Egypt, Spain, Portugal and the Cape Verde Islands.

  • Coronavirus Flughafen Frankfurt (picture-alliance/nordphoto/Bratic)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Travel warning extended

    German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has said that the warning against traveling abroad will remain in effect until the end of April. “This includes the Easter holidays,” he said on Twitter. “Stay at home! Protect yourself and your fellow human beings,” he appealed to the population. Many tour operators have also extended their travel ban until the end of April.

  • Coronavirus - Stuttgart (picture-alliance/dpa/T. Weller)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    EU pays for return to Europe

    The EU Commission is supporting the return to Europe of tens of thousands of long-distance travellers. It intends to cover a large part of the costs, since most of the flight connections have been cancelled. “We are here to help them return,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a video message.

  • Coronavirus in Südafrika Flughafen Polokwane Rückkehrer (picture-alliance/dpa/AP)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Africa’s measures to deal with the pandemic

    African countries have also ordered numerous measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. South Africa, for example, has banned access to the country for people coming from risk areas. Nigeria is monitoring the temperature of travelers at airports, ports and borders. Cameroon has closed its borders indefinitely.

  • Coronavirus in Australien Brisbane (picture-alliance/Zuma/Sopa/F. Rols)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Australia bans foreign travel

    The Australian government has imposed an indefinite ban on all foreign travel by its citizens. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also called on all Australians who are abroad to return home. A 14-day compulsory quarantine for all people entering the country has already been in place for some time. Here, too, it has become quiet in the cities.

  • Coronavirus – leerer Bahnhof in Schwerin (picture-alliance/dpa/J. Büttner)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Tourism in Germany comes to a halt

    The coronavirus crisis is impacting travelers and the tourism industry with full force. Several tour operators, including TUI, has cancelled trips, and some airlines are shutting down. Germany’s federal and state governments decided that overnight stays should only be used for “necessary and explicitly not for touristic purposes”. Germans are to “no longer take holiday trips at home and abroad”.

  • Coronavirus -Kontrolle an der Grenze zu Frankreich (picture-alliance/E. Cegarra)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    EU external borders closed

    The EU has closed its entire external borders for 30 days as from Tuesday (March 17, 2020). “All travel between non-European countries and the European Union will be suspended for 30 days,” French President Macron said in a television address on Monday (March 16,2020) evening. The Schengen Area, which includes several non-EU countries, has also closed its external borders.

  • Airbus A320-200 der deutschen Fluggesellsschaft Lufthansa (picture-alliance/W. Minich)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Germany brings travelers back home

    More and more countries are sealing their borders, and many flights are cancelled. With special flights Lufthansa and its subsidiary Eurowings want to bring up to 6,500 stranded holidaymakers from the Caribbean, the Canary Islands and on Mallorca back to Germany. In Morocco, the German government is assisting German tourists who are stranded there due to their return flights being cancelled.

  • Grenzkontrolle Deutschland Frankreich | Grenze Saarbrücken (DW/B. Riegert)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Germany partially closes its borders to tourists

    On Monday morning (March 16, 2020), Germany introduced entry controls at the borders with the five neighboring countries: France, Denmark, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland. Border crossings will be reduced to what is strictly necessary. Goods can continue to pass through, including commuters, but not travelers without good reason. The duration of the measures remains open.

  • Der rotweiße Amrumer Leuchtturm (picture-alliance/M. Narten)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    North German islands closed for tourists

    Whether Spiekeroog, Sylt or Rügen: Vacation on the northern German islands in the North and Baltic Sea is no longer possible as of March 16, 2020. Those who had already moved into their accommodation have been asked to return home. The health systems of the islands are not equipped to deal with large numbers of infected people. Regulations are to follow for mainland tourism.

  • Disneyland Paris (picture alliance)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Disneyland Paris closes

    Disneyland Paris and Disney World Florida have closed until the end of the month. Disney Cruise Line have also suspended all new departure through the same period. The company said the decision was made “with great caution” to protect guests and employees. The company said the parks in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, which had already been closed, will also remain shut.

  • Winter in Tirol (picture-alliance/dpa/A. Riedl)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Austrian ski regions end season early

    All ski areas in the Austrian provinces of Salzburg and Tyrol are ending the winter season early. Cable car operation will be discontinued as of Sunday (March 15, 2020). Hotels and accommodations will be closed from Monday. The provincial governments said that this should slow down the spread of the virus in the Alpine country. The two provinces account for most leading Austrian ski areas.

  • USA coronavirus Statue of Liberty in New York City (picture-alliance/dpa/J. D. Ake)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    USA: Entry ban for Europeans

    Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the USA is imposing a general 30-day travel ban on people from Europe. The entry ban comes into force on Friday (March 13, 2020) at midnight (local time). It does not apply to US citizens residing in Europe who have tested negative for the pathogen.

  • Tourists at Red Fort in New Delhi

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    India imposes entry ban

    India has declared all tourist visas invalid for 1 month because of the corona virus. Only travelers who are already in the country are allowed to stay, the Indian Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday (March 11, 2020). The entry ban is to last until April 15 for the time being.

  • Mount Everest as seen from Namche Bajar

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    China closes access to Mount Everest

    Climbing Mount Everest via the north side has been forbidden by Chinese authorities. The necessary permits for expeditions to the world’s highest mountain were withdrawn on Thursday (March 12, 2020).

  • Austria Coronavirus border checks (picture-alliance/AP Photo/K. Joensson)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Italy increasingly sealed off

    In order to reduce the spread, the border into neighboring Austria can only be crossed from Italy with a medical certificate. Slovenia has closed its border, and Albania has banned Italian air and ferry traffic. Many airlines have cancelled flights to Italy until at least 3 April. Germany, the UK, and Ireland tightened travel recommendations and called on their citizens to leave.

  • Italy cruise ship Costa Smeralda in the port of Civitavecchia (Reuters/G. Mangiapane)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Mediterranean cruises put on hold

    The Costa Crociere shipping company is cancelling all cruises in the Mediterranean for the time being. The cruises will be suspended until April 3, the Italian company announced on Tuesday (March 10). The measure affects thousands of passengers. Ships still operating in the Mediterranean will only call at Italian ports to let passengers disembark.

  • Germany Reichstag glass dome in Berlin (picture-alliance/Bildagentur-online/De Simone-AGF)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Reichstag dome closed for visitors

    The dome and roof terrace of the Reichstag parliament building in Berlin have been closed to visitors since Tuesday (March 10, 2020) until further notice to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus. The walkable dome and the roof terrace are visited by more than 2 million people every year, according to the Bundestag.

  • Ski piste Piz Boe in Dolomites Italy (picture-alliance/Bildagentur-online/Schoening)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Winter sports season in Italy ended early

    All ski facilities in Italy have been closed since Tuesday (March 10, 2020) due to the corona crisis. Prior to this, hoteliers and cable car operators in the South Tyrol region (photo) had already agreed to close their facilities. South Tyrol is particularly popular with winter sports tourists from Germany and Eastern Europe. The closure is effective until at least April 3.

  • Coronavirus - Czech Republic border checks (picture-alliance/dpa/S. Kube)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Travel warnings and border controls

    The Czech Republic (picture) and Poland are carrying out checks at the border with Germany to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Since Monday (March 9), travelers have faced random temperature checks. The German government has warned against travelling to risk areas. And air passengers from China, Japan, South Korea, Iran and Italy will have to expect controls when entering Germany.

  • Coronavirus - Italy- empty cafe tables in Venice (picture-alliance/dpa/C. Furlan)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Italy in crisis

    On March 8 the Italian government issued an entry and exit ban for the more than 15 million inhabitants of the northern Italian regions, which include the key business center Milan and the tourist magnet of Venice (photo). Cultural, sporting and religious events are also banned for visitors. Museums, cinemas and theaters remain closed nationwide.

  • Costa Fortuna cruise ship is seen near Phuket, Thailand.

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Cruises a risk factor

    Repeatedly cruise ships have to be quarantined or prevented from docking. After cancellations in Thailand and Malaysia, the Costa Fortuna (photo) with 2,000 passengers, including 64 Italians, has been allowed to enter the port of Singapore. In Oakland, California, 2,000 passengers and 1,100 crew members of the Grand Princess are quarantined because 19 of them have tested positive for COVID-19.

  • Japan Tourism Coronavirus (picture-alliance/dpa/M. Taga)

    Coronavirus: The consequences for tourism

    Asia fears dramatic setbacks

    Sights in Asia are particularly affected by travel restrictions for Chinese tourists. Hotspots such as the Senso-ji temple (picture) in Tokyo and the temple complexes of Angkor Wat in Cambodia are reporting a sharp drop in visitors. On March 9, the Ministry of Tourism in Thailand reported a 44% drop for February. Tourism accounts for 11% of the gross domestic product.

    Author: Andreas Kirchhoff, Susan Bonney-Cox


Can Indonesia tackle COVID-19?

Adib Kumaidi, an official at the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), told DW that a number of factors are contributing to a high mortality rate in Indonesia, mainly the lack of data and limited health facilities to conduct coronavirus tests. Kumaidi said the number of cases will increase when the authorities test more people across the country.

The IDI official urged the government to share the medical history of patients with the health staff so that they could receive better treatment. He also said that patients who are brought to hospitals are already in critical condition.

Read more: Coronavirus: Practicing Islam amid pandemic

“If the patients arrive at hospital in a poor state, already suffering pneumonia or sepsis, it would be harder for the doctors to help them,” he explained, adding that proper medical facilities are needed to lower the mortality rate in Indonesia.

“Indonesian hospitals need ICUs, isolation rooms, as well as ventilators. These facilities are detrimental,” Kumaidi added.

Joko Widodo gives a speech (Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau)

President Joko Widodo has announced a monthly bonus for health care workers in Indonesia

Inadequate measures

On Monday, the Indonesian government opened an emergency hospital in Jakarta to treat COVID-19 patients. The facility was originally built for athletes that participated in the 2018 Asian Games. The 4,000-capacity hospital was soon flooded by people who wanted to get themselves tested for coronavirus.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) also announced a monthly bonus of up to $900 (€816) for health workers that are treating coronavirus patients, while specialist doctors will receive a bigger amount. The government has also allocated funds to help small businesses in the country.

Read more: Doubts surround China’s claim to have beaten corona

But the medical staff is facing acute shortages of protective equipment. So far six doctors have died of COVID-19 in Indonesia.

“They [health workers] dedicated their lives and did their best to deal with the coronavirus,” the president said. “On behalf of the government, I thank them for their selfless dedication,” he told reporters.

Additional reporting by Rizki Akbar Putra, in Jakarta

Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/why-does-indonesia-have-a-high-covid-19-mortality-rate/a-52947235?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

Related News

Search

Get best offer

Booking.com
%d bloggers like this: