Top 10 Regencies/Cities with the Highest Percentage of Suspect Examinations per Week (Wednesday, March 15, 2023)

Anticipating the impact of the continuously rising Omicron variant, 141 regencies/cities aggressively conducted suspect testing, with a weekly percentage exceeding the national average. Data as of Wednesday, March 15, 2023, shows the national average testing rate at 7.34 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 Mandailing Natal, Boven Digoel, Mamuju Tengah, Bima City, and Tapanuli Selatan, with ratios of 92.95 percent, 81.25 percent, 75 percent, 71.88 percent, and 65.85 percent respectively.

Mandailing Natal ranks first. With a population of 463,910, the weekly suspect testing percentage is recorded at 92.95 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 Boven Digoel. The population of this region is recorded at 72,236. In an effort to counter the Covid-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect testing percentage is 81.25 percent. The positive rate in this region is recorded at 50 percent, an increase compared to the previous week's percentage.

Furthermore, the weekly suspect testing percentage in Mamuju Tengah is recorded at 75 percent; Bima City, with a population of 191,790, has a weekly suspect testing percentage of 71.88 percent; and Tapanuli Selatan, with a population of 286,830, has a weekly suspect testing percentage of 65.85 percent.

Anticipating the impact of Omicron in various regions, based on the national Covid data recapitulation, there are 126 regencies/cities in Indonesia actively reporting a higher daily weekly suspect testing percentage than before. Meanwhile, 124 other regencies/cities recorded a lower weekly suspect testing percentage compared to the previous week's testing.

Some of the regions outside Java with the highest weekly suspect testing percentage ratios include Mandailing Natal, Boven Digoel, and Mamuju Tengah, with weekly suspect testing percentages of 92.95 percent, 81.25 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 spread of the coronavirus.