Top 10 Regencies/Cities with the Highest Percentage of Suspect Examinations per Week (Week of January 22, 2023)

With the increasing rate of Omicron in Indonesia, currently 146 districts/cities are aggressively conducting weekly suspect testing percentages above the national average. Data from the week of January 22, 2023, shows the national average testing rate at 7.81 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 weekly suspect testing percentage, are Mandailing Natal (84.75%), Simalungun (78.03%), Boven Digoel (75%), Kubu Raya (56.82%), and Bolaang Mongondow Selatan (55.56%).

Mandailing Natal ranks first. With a population of 463,910, the weekly suspect testing percentage here is recorded at 84.75 percent. The latest positive rate is 0 percent. The positive rate in this region has decreased compared to the previous week's percentage.

Next is Simalungun. The population in this region is recorded at 880,300. In an effort to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect testing percentage is 78.03 percent. The positive rate in this region is recorded at 0 percent, or has decreased compared to the previous week's ratio.

Then, Boven Digoel, with a population of 72,236, has a weekly suspect testing percentage of 75 percent. Kubu Raya, with a population of 600,600, has a weekly suspect testing percentage of 56.82 percent, and Bolaang Mongondow Selatan has a weekly suspect testing percentage of 55.56 percent.

Anticipating the impact of Omicron in various regions, based on a recapitulation of national Covid data, there are 158 districts/cities in Indonesia that actively report a higher daily weekly suspect testing percentage than before. Meanwhile, 103 other districts/cities recorded a lower weekly suspect testing percentage compared to the previous week's testing.

Areas outside Java with the highest weekly suspect testing percentage ratios include Mandailing Natal, Simalungun, and Boven Digoel, with weekly suspect testing percentages of 84.75 percent, 78.03 percent, and 75 percent, respectively.

Although Covid-19 transmission has decreased in some areas, the government urges everyone to continue to reduce 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 rate of coronavirus transmission.