Indonesia Reported the Highest New Covid Cases in the World Last Week, says WHO

Indonesia reported the highest number of new coronavirus infections in the world for the week that ended on July 18, according to the World Health Organization.

WHO’s latest weekly epidemiological update said more than 3.4 million new cases were reported globally between July 12 to 18, as many countries across the world continue to experience surges.

Indonesia Reported the Highest New Covid Cases in the World Last Week, says WHO

Indonesia topped the list with the most number of new infections during that period at 350,273 cases — a 44% increase from the week before. It was followed by the U.K., Brazil, India and the U.S.

Indonesia reported the highest new Covid cases in the world last week, says WHO

“Officials may say that the newly-confirmed Covid-19 cases are falling … but this is because the number of testing and tracing is also declining after the implementation of hard social restrictions in Java,” said Rahmat of Project HOPE, or Health Opportunities for People Everywhere.

“There is increasing hesitancy among people to be tested — even if they have a running nose, fever or other Covid-19 symptoms,” he said, adding that they don’t want to be asked to isolate themselves or face the stigma of testing positive.

Indonesia tested a record number of 188,551 people on July 17, according to Our World in Data. That figure fell to 138,046 on the next day and to 127,590 the following day.

“There is increasing hesitancy among people to be tested — even if they have a running nose, fever or other Covid-19 symptoms,” he said, adding that they don’t want to be asked to isolate themselves or face the stigma of testing positive.

Final Words

Indonesia tested a record number of 188,551 people on July 17, according to Our World in Data. That figure fell to 138,046 on the next day and to 127,590 the following day. Rahmat said the second wave is “not over yet.”

“The newly-diagnosed cases and deaths from COVID-19 are still high, showing that the worst is not over,” he said.