Top 10 Regencies/Cities with the Highest Percentage of Suspect Examinations per Week (Week of March 26, 2023)

To curb the spread of Covid-19 in regions, currently 142 regencies/cities are aggressively conducting weekly suspect examination percentages above the national average. Data from the week of March 26, 2023, shows the national average examination rate at 8.1 percent. This suspect examination data is calculated based on the number of suspected individuals and close contacts compared to the number of people examined in each region, which is then reported to the Ministry of Health.

The top five, starting from the highest weekly suspect examination percentage, are Kota Bima (76.39%), Bima (68.67%), Mandailing Natal (65%), Kayong Utara (62.5%), and Simalungun (59.8%).

Kota Bima ranks first. With a population of 191,790, the weekly suspect examination percentage is recorded at 76.39 percent. The latest positive rate is 5.88 percent. The positive rate in this region increased compared to the previous week's ratio.

Next is Bima. The population in this region is recorded at 520,990. In an effort to counter the Covid-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect examination percentage is 68.67 percent. The positive rate in this region is recorded at 3.85 percent, or higher than the previous week's percentage.

Furthermore, Mandailing Natal recorded a 65 percent examination rate, Kayong Utara recorded a 62.5 percent weekly suspect examination percentage, and Simalungun, with a population of 880,300, recorded a 59.8 percent weekly suspect examination percentage.

Anticipating the impact of Omicron in various regions, based on the recapitulation of national Covid data, there are 109 regencies/cities in Indonesia that actively report a higher daily weekly suspect examination percentage than before. Meanwhile, 82 other regencies/cities recorded a lower weekly suspect examination percentage compared to the previous week's examination.

Some of the regions outside Java with the highest weekly suspect examination percentages include Kota Bima, Bima, and Mandailing Natal, with weekly suspect examination percentages of 76.39 percent, 68.67 percent, and 65 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 curbing the spread of the coronavirus.