With the increasing rate of Omicron in Indonesia, 157 regencies/cities are aggressively conducting weekly suspect testing percentages above the national average. Data as of Saturday, October 22, 2022, shows the national average testing rate at 11.01 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, Boven Digoel, Mandailing Natal, Tasikmalaya, and Tidore Islands City, with ratios of 93.82 percent, 83.33 percent, 82.61 percent, 79.72 percent, and 76.84 percent respectively.
Simalungun is ranked first. With a population of 877,710, the weekly suspect testing percentage is recorded at 93.82 percent. The latest positive rate is 5.08 percent. The positive rate in this region increased compared to the previous week's ratio.
Next is Boven Digoel. The population in this region is recorded at 71,134. In an effort to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect testing percentage is 83.33 percent. The positive rate in this region is recorded at 0 percent, having decreased compared to the previous week's percentage.
Then, Mandailing Natal recorded 82.61 percent testing, Tasikmalaya recorded 79.72 percent, and the weekly suspect testing percentage in Tidore Islands City was recorded at 76.84 percent.
Anticipating the impact of Omicron in various regions, based on the national Covid data recapitulation, there are 207 regencies/cities in Indonesia actively reporting a higher daily weekly suspect testing percentage than before. Meanwhile, 137 other regencies/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 Simalungun, Boven Digoel, and Mandailing Natal, with weekly suspect testing percentages of 93.82 percent, 83.33 percent, and 82.61 percent respectively.
Although Covid-19 transmission in some areas has decreased, 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.