Indonesia reports record 1,040 virus deaths in 24 hours

Indonesia on Wednesday reported a daily record of 1,040 coronavirus deaths while fresh infections topped 34,000 as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with its deadliest Covid-19 wave since the pandemic began.

The official death toll spiked from 728 virus fatalities on Tuesday, while new cases shot up to 34,379 from 31,189 cases a day earlier, the health ministry said.

Indonesia has become the region’s hotspot, with hospitals having to turn away patients and authorities forced to import oxygen supplies.

The government expanded restrictions across the archipelago following earlier clampdowns on the capital Jakarta and some other areas.

“Cases are also rising in other regions and we need to pay attention to the availability of hospitals,” said senior minister Airlangga Hartarto.

“Facilities in those regions are limited and overwhelmed.”