Top 10 Regencies/Cities with the Highest Percentage of Suspect Examinations per Week (Tuesday, September 20, 2022)

To curb the spread of COVID-19 in regions, currently 155 regencies/cities are aggressively conducting weekly suspect testing percentages above the national average. Data as of Tuesday, September 20, 2022, shows the national average testing rate at 11.22 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 with the highest weekly suspect testing percentage, are Simalungun (92.02%), Banggai Kepulauan (84.38%), Mandailing Natal (81.88%), Pangandaran (79.21%), and Tidore Kepulauan City (78.64%).

Simalungun ranks first. With a population of 877,710, the weekly suspect testing percentage is recorded at 92.02 percent. The latest positivity rate is five percent. The positivity rate in this region has decreased compared to the previous week's percentage.

Next is Banggai Kepulauan. The population of this region is recorded at 119,720. In an effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect testing percentage is 84.38 percent. The positivity rate in this region is recorded at 58.33 percent, which has also decreased compared to the previous week's ratio.

Then, Mandailing Natal recorded 81.88 percent testing, Pangandaran recorded 79.21 percent testing, and Tidore Kepulauan City recorded 78.64 percent for the weekly suspect testing percentage.

Anticipating the impact of Omicron in various regions, based on the national COVID-19 data recapitulation, there are 185 regencies/cities in Indonesia that actively report a higher daily weekly suspect testing percentage than before. Meanwhile, 160 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 percentages include Simalungun, Banggai Kepulauan, and Mandailing Natal, with weekly suspect testing percentages of 92.02 percent, 84.38 percent, and 81.88 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 curbing the spread of the coronavirus.