Indonesia Grapples With Rising Covid-19 Cases, No Deaths Reported

Indonesia is currently facing an uptick in Covid-19 cases, fueled by a new subvariant. While health officials monitor the situation, they emphasize the existing variant’s relative weakness, aiming to calm public concerns about the latest developments.

No Deaths Yet Reported, Health Minister Says

According to the Indonesian Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, there have been no fatalities linked to the most recent wave of Covid-19. The Health Minister made the statement while attending the Indonesian Dental Association’s new board inauguration. He acknowledged that there is an increase in cases across the country.

However, the minister refrained from disclosing the exact figures on the recent surge. He noted that some individuals displaying symptoms, such as coughing, have not yet undergone testing, which complicates the precise calculation of the current case numbers in Indonesia.

“Because this variant is Omicron, which is weak,”

—Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesian Health Minister

The World Health Organization (WHO) has observed an increase in the NB.1.8.1 variant, starting in mid-February 2025. The WHO reported that the NB.1.8.1 variant has reached 10.7% of worldwide sequences reported as of mid-May.

Regional Surge Prompts Action

Several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, have witnessed a notable upswing in Covid-19 cases since the end of May 2025. This has spurred these nations to reinforce their pandemic control measures. For example, Singapore experienced a 15% increase in cases during the week of June 10, 2025.

Preventative Measures Advised

Minister Budi encouraged the public to stay vigilant. He suggested practicing regular hand washing, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance. He also advised people to maintain a distance from anyone coughing. The Ministry of Health issued a circular letter in late May in response to these developments.