Based on national Covid-19 data recapitulation, 168 regencies/cities aggressively conducted suspect testing, exceeding the national average weekly percentage. As of Monday, August 29, 2022, the national average testing rate was recorded at 9.13 percent. This suspect testing data is calculated based on the number of suspected individuals and close contacts compared to the number of people tested in each region, which is then reported to the Ministry of Health.
The top five, starting from the highest, are Simalungun, Mandailing Natal, Pangandaran, Tasikmalaya, and Balangan, with ratios of 88.02 percent, 78.41 percent, 76.53 percent, 72.55 percent, and 57.08 percent, respectively.
Simalungun ranks first. With a population of 877,710, the weekly suspect testing percentage is recorded at 88.02 percent. The latest positive rate is 8.59 percent. The positive rate in this region increased compared to the previous week's ratio.
Next is Mandailing Natal. The population of this region is recorded at 460,360. In an effort to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect testing percentage is 78.41 percent. The positive rate in this region is recorded at 0 percent, having decreased compared to the previous week's percentage.
Furthermore, Pangandaran recorded 76.53 percent testing, Tasikmalaya recorded 72.55 percent, and Balangan recorded 57.08 percent.
Anticipating the impact of Omicron in various regions, based on the national Covid-19 data recapitulation, there are 180 regencies/cities in Indonesia that actively report a higher weekly percentage of suspect testing than before. Meanwhile, another 180 regencies/cities recorded a lower weekly suspect testing percentage compared to the previous week.
Some of the regions outside Java with the highest weekly suspect testing percentage ratios include Simalungun, Mandailing Natal, and Balangan, with weekly suspect testing percentages of 88.02 percent, 78.41 percent, and 57.08 percent, respectively.
Although Covid-19 transmission has decreased in some areas, the government urges everyone to continue reducing Covid-19 transmission by always wearing masks, maintaining distance, and frequently washing hands with soap and running water. Avoiding crowds and reducing mobility also contribute to suppressing the spread of the coronavirus.