Indonesia tops 1m COVID infections in never-ending first wave

Health experts accuse government of half measures, as leaders fear economic risk

20210126N Indosia vaccination

Indonesia looks to vaccinate 180 million citizens in the next year, a level that could let the country achieve herd immunity. © Reuters

KOYA JIBIKI, Nikkei staff writer

JAKARTA -- Indonesia's coronavirus infection count has exceeded 1 million, far beyond that of its Southeast Asian neighbors, as efforts to bend the curve have come up empty.

The 13,094 new cases reported Tuesday evening by the government put Indonesia's total at 1.01 million, roughly double the caseload of the Philippines, which has the second-highest figure in the 10-nation region. Indonesia's 28,468 fatalities from COVID-19 also lead Southeast Asia.

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