The death toll of a dengue fever outbreak in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province has hit 37, the local Health Agency said today, adding that a lack of immediate care of patients contributed to the fatalities.

Bonik Ingunau, who works as a tour guide and freelance driver, has been feeling the ripple effects of the international outbreak of the novel coronavirus here in Bali. Though officials have yet to announce any cases of COVID-19 on the island, the epidemic has created a rift in the global tourism industry; which plays a major role in the local economy.

A short video showing a foreign woman buck naked while crossing a street in Canggu has gone viral on social media, sparking a divisive discussion about respecting cultures and local customs here in Bali while also prompting local authorities to act.

The Bali provincial government has moved swiftly in response to the international outbreak of the novel coronavirus and its subsequent impact on the global tourism industry, with the recent launch of the “We Love Bali” movement aiming to lessen the blow on the local economy.

The Bali Provincial Government eventually decided to grant permit for passengers and crew aboard the Norwegian-flagged cruise ship the Viking Sun to disembark in Benoa harbor yesterday, after local health authorities cleared them for entry.