Indonesia's Covid-19 Test Numbers Tend to Increase During Level 4 PPKM

The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) recorded 202,385 people undergoing COVID-19 coronavirus tests on Friday, July 23, 2021. This comprised 90,824 people using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, 818 using rapid molecular tests (TCM), and 110,473 using antigen tests.

The number of people undergoing coronavirus tests has tended to increase compared to the period before the implementation of the Level 4 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) starting July 21, 2021. A record number of coronavirus tests was also recorded on the second day of Level 4 PPKM, July 22, 2021, reaching 228,702 people.

During the three days of Level 4 PPKM, the average number of people tested for coronavirus was approximately 182,000 per day. Meanwhile, the average number of people tested during the Emergency PPKM (July 3-20) was around 140,000 per day.

Despite the increase, the number of people tested for coronavirus is still far from the government's target. Previously, the government aimed for 410,000 tests per day in Java and Bali during the Emergency PPKM.

In total, coronavirus tests in Indonesia have been conducted on 16.58 million people. Compared to the population, this equates to a ratio of 61,114 people per one million inhabitants.

The low testing coverage can lead to many unrecorded coronavirus transmission cases. This situation can cause uncontrolled coronavirus transmission.

Therefore, the government needs to accelerate the rate of coronavirus testing. The public is also urged to diligently implement the 3M health protocols: wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands with soap.