Indonesia reported its highest daily number of new coronavirus infections Wednesday, with the total reaching 54,517, according to health authorities.
It marks the first time for the confirmed number of new COVID-19 cases to exceed 50,000 and brings the total figure to 2,670,046.
Photo taken in March 2021 shows a street performer asking for donation in Jakarta. People called "silver men," who paint their bodies in silver, have frequently been spotted performing on streets in the Indonesian capital as they are financially strapped due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The number of new deaths was 991, bringing the total to 69,210.
Since last month, doctors and epidemiologists have warned of possible collapse of the country's health system as bed occupancy rates, particularly in the capital Jakarta and in the cultural center of Yogyakarta, have reached around 90 percent.
Many COVID-19 patients have died at home after failing to get beds at hospitals, as well as oxygen supplies.
