Bali, Indonesia runs out of oxygen, government considers restrictions Reuters

Jakarta (Reuters)-The head of the health agency in Bali, Indonesia, said that with the surge in infections, its COVID-19 patients are about to run out of oxygen, as the largest country in Southeast Asia is fighting the most severe COVID epidemic in the region .

Bali, known for its tourist beaches and temples, as well as the main island of Java and 15 other areas are subject to strict coronavirus restrictions, which will expire on Sunday. The government is discussing whether to extend them.

Ketut Suarjaya, head of the Bali health agency, quoted the Antara National News Agency as saying on Friday: “We have been hypoxic since July 14, and the situation is getting worse due to the surge in new cases.”

“There is an oxygen crisis in Bali.”

According to official data, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with more than 3 million coronaviruses and 80,598 deaths. The spread driven by the Delta variant shows no signs of slowing down.

According to the research organization Our Data World, the country’s death rate is three times the global average.

The debate about coronavirus restrictions has caused health experts to antagonize employer groups that warn of massive layoffs unless restrictions are relaxed, saying that it is too early to relax restrictions during the infection surge.

Suarjaya said that patients in Bali on Thursday needed 113.3 tons of oxygen, while the hospital only had 40.5 tons. He could not be immediately reached for comment on Saturday.

There is also an oxygen shortage in Java Island. The government has begun to import oxygen supplies from countries such as the United States and China.