Top 10 Regencies/Cities with the Highest Percentage of Suspect Examinations per Week (Wednesday, March 23, 2022)

Based on national Covid-19 data, 182 regencies/cities aggressively conducted weekly suspect testing exceeding the national average. As of Wednesday, March 23, 2022, the national average was 15.65 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, then reported to the Ministry of Health.

The top five, starting from the highest, are Padang Lawas Utara, Simalungun, Sumba Timur, Rote Ndao, and Sabu Raijua, with percentages of 81.67 percent, 75.9 percent, 71.13 percent, 70.67 percent, and 70.51 percent, respectively.

Padang Lawas Utara ranks first. With a population of 293,240, its weekly suspect testing percentage is 81.67 percent. The latest positive rate is 1.99 percent. The positive rate in this region has decreased compared to the previous week.

Next is Simalungun. This region has a population of 877,710. In efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, the weekly suspect testing percentage is 75.9 percent. The positive rate in this region is 3.66 percent, also down from the previous week.

Furthermore, Sumba Timur recorded 71.13 percent testing, Rote Ndao 70.67 percent, and Sabu Raijua 70.51 percent weekly suspect testing.

In anticipation of the Omicron impact in various regions, based on national Covid-19 data recapitulation, 143 regencies/cities in Indonesia actively reported higher weekly suspect testing percentages than before. Meanwhile, 240 other regencies/cities recorded lower weekly suspect testing percentages compared to the previous week.

Regions outside Java with the highest weekly suspect testing percentages include Padang Lawas Utara, Simalungun, and Sumba Timur, with weekly suspect testing percentages of 81.67 percent, 75.9 percent, and 71.13 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.