Top 10 Regencies/Cities with the Highest Percentage of Suspect Examinations per Week (Thursday, March 24, 2022)

Based on the national Covid-19 data recapitulation, 178 regencies/cities aggressively conducted suspect testing, exceeding the national average weekly percentage. As of Thursday, March 24, 2022, the national average testing rate was recorded at 14.79 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 Padang Lawas Utara, Simalungun, Sumba Tengah, Padang Lawas, and Sumba Timur, with percentages of 80.39 percent, 76.03 percent, 73.35 percent, 71.67 percent, and 71.07 percent, respectively.

Padang Lawas Utara ranks first. With a population of 293,240, its weekly suspect testing percentage is recorded at 80.39 percent. The latest positive rate is 2.4 percent. The positive rate in this region has decreased compared to the previous week's percentage.

Next is Simalungun. The region's population is recorded at 877,710. In an effort to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect testing percentage is 76.03 percent. The positive rate in this region is recorded at 3.29 percent, also down from the previous week's percentage.

Then, Sumba Tengah, with a population of 75,568, recorded a weekly suspect testing percentage of 73.35 percent. Padang Lawas recorded 71.67 percent, and Sumba Timur recorded 71.07 percent for weekly suspect testing.

In anticipation of the Omicron impact in various regions, based on the national Covid-19 data recapitulation, 132 regencies/cities in Indonesia actively reported a higher daily weekly suspect testing percentage than before. Meanwhile, 249 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 Padang Lawas Utara, Simalungun, and Sumba Tengah, with weekly suspect testing percentages of 80.39 percent, 76.03 percent, and 73.35 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 suppressing the spread of the coronavirus.