Top 10 Regencies/Cities with the Highest Percentage of Suspect Examinations per Week (Thursday, March 9, 2023)

To curb the spread of COVID-19 in regions, 137 regencies/cities are aggressively conducting weekly suspect testing exceeding the national average. Data as of Thursday, March 9, 2023, shows the national average at 7.51 percent. This suspect testing data is calculated based on the number of suspected cases and close contacts compared to the total number of people tested in each region, which is then reported to the Ministry of Health.

The top five, starting from the highest, are Mandailing Natal, Sorong City, Bima City, Kubu Raya, and Simalungun, with percentages of 91.5 percent, 77.54 percent, 73.53 percent, 68.66 percent, and 62.5 percent, respectively.

Mandailing Natal ranks first. With a population of 463,910, its weekly suspect testing percentage is recorded at 91.5 percent. The latest positive rate is 0 percent. The positive rate in this region has decreased compared to the previous week's ratio.

Next is Sorong City. The region's population is 290,940. In efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect testing percentage is 77.54 percent. The positive rate in this region is recorded at 0 percent, also down from the previous week's ratio.

Furthermore, the weekly suspect testing percentage in Bima City is 73.53 percent, 68.66 percent in Kubu Raya, and 62.5 percent in Simalungun.

Anticipating the impact of Omicron in various regions, based on the national COVID-19 data recapitulation, 148 regencies/cities in Indonesia actively report a higher weekly suspect testing percentage than before. Meanwhile, 76 other 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 percentages include Mandailing Natal, Sorong City, and Bima City, with weekly suspect testing percentages of 91.5 percent, 77.54 percent, and 73.53 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 curbing the spread of the coronavirus.