Despite Continuous Improvement, Indonesia's COVID-19 Testing Coverage Remains Suboptimal

As many as 141,957 people underwent coronavirus (Covid-19) testing via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), rapid molecular test (TCM), and antigen tests on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. This daily testing number is the highest since the corona pandemic hit Indonesia.

Thus, the total number of people who have undergone coronavirus testing domestically is 14.1 million. The ratio is equivalent to 51,535 people per 1 million inhabitants.

Although the number of people undergoing daily coronavirus tests is increasing, it is still considered low. According to Andani Eka Putra, an expert staff member at the Ministry of Health, ideal coronavirus testing should reach 500,000-600,000 people per day. Meanwhile, Indonesia is only able to test 500,000 people per week.

Furthermore, the low testing rate can be seen from the daily coronavirus positivity rate, which is still at 24.2%. This figure is still far from the safe standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO) of 5%.

Low testing coverage can result in many coronavirus cases not being accurately recorded. This condition can then lead to uncontrolled coronavirus transmission.

Based on this, the government is intensifying coronavirus testing during the Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) period from July 3-20, 2021. The plan is to test 410,000 people in Java and Bali every day.