Indonesia Needs 83,800 Oxygen Cylinders for COVID-19 Management

Indonesia's estimated daily oxygen needs for COVID-19 treatment reached 83,862 cylinders of 7m³ on Thursday, June 24, 2021. According to PATH data, this represents a 53% increase compared to the previous week.

Indonesia accounts for 44.4% of Southeast Asia's total oxygen needs, the highest in the region.

The increased oxygen demand in Indonesia correlates with the rising national occupancy rate (BOR) of designated COVID-19 hospitals. As of Wednesday, June 23, 2021, the national BOR for COVID-19 referral hospitals reached 69%, exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) safe standard of 60%.

This situation is a result of the surge in positive COVID-19 cases following the Eid al-Fitr holiday. On Thursday, June 17, 2021, Indonesia recorded a record high of 20,574 new cases—the highest daily increase since the start of the pandemic in the country.

Therefore, COVID-19 transmission must be prevented by strictly adhering to the 3M health protocols: wearing a mask, maintaining distance, and washing hands with soap. The public is also urged to avoid crowds and reduce mobility.