Coronavirus cases in Indonesia top 400,000

By Nicky Aulia Widadio

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA) - Indonesia on Wednesday reported 4,029 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 400,483.

According to government figures, as many as 100,000 new virus cases were reported over the past 26 days.

In the last 24 hours, as many as 3,545 patients have recovered, taking the total number of recoveries to 325,793.

The death toll in the country reached 13,612, with 100 more fatalities over the past day.

Currently there are 61,078 active cases in the country.

Nearly 170,000 people are awaiting results of coronavirus tests.

Jakarta is the country’s most affected province with 844 new cases. The total number of cases in Jakarta reached 103,522.

Meanwhile, West Java reported 403 new cases, Central Java 318 cases, while West Sumatra registered 276 new cases.

Earlier this month, the spokesman for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force had warned the public that the upcoming long holidays could lead to a spike in the new cases.

“Long holidays have been proven to have the effect of increasing the number of positive cases nationwide,” said Wiku Adisasmito, referring to the Eid al-Fitr holiday from May 22 -25 and long weekend on Aug 20 to Aug 23.

Indonesia government has declared Oct. 28 and Oct. 30 as collective leave days, as the birthday of Prophet Mohammad is celebrated on Oct. 29, another public holiday.

The government did not impose restrictions on traveling even though the COVID-19 pandemic is far from under control.

“I ask the public to comply with health protocols and avoid traveling unless it is urgent,” he added.

However, more than 140,000 vehicles have left Jakarta since Tuesday. The data does not include people who traveled through plane or train.

The COVID-19 Task Force has asked tourism destinations to limit the capacity of visitors by 50%.

*Writing by Maria Elisa Hospita from Anadolu Agency's Indonesian language services in Jakarta.