4 May 2020

Covid-19 cases continue to climb in Papua

7:28 pm on 4 May 2020

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Mimika regency of Indonesia's Papua province has doubled to 87 within several days.

Thirteen of the people had recovered, and three people had died in Mimika, more than any other single regency in Papua.

The marker is placed on Pomako Port of Mimika regency, Indonesia.

The marker is placed on Pomako Port of Mimika regency, Indonesia. Photo: Google Maps

Local health officials said 42 new cases were confirmed between Wednesday and Saturday.

According to Tabloid Jubi, 51 of the overall cases were registered at a hospital in Tembagapura, a town which serviced the nearby Freeport gold and copper mine.

Indonesia's Health Ministry said that as of yesterday, there were 240 confirmed cases in Papua, with six deaths, while neighbouring West Papua had 43 cases and one death.