Data For 80 Percent Of COVID-19 Cases Without Questionable Symptoms

JAKARTA - University of Indonesia epidemiologist, Syahrizal Syarif, questioned the basis for Achmad Yurianto's statement about 80 percent of positive cases in Indonesia are people without symptoms (OTG). Because, during the handling of COVID-19 there has never been data related to this.

"I question the evidence base of the spokesman (Achmad Yurianto) stating that 80 percent of positive cases in Indonesia come from people without symptoms," Syahrizal told VOI, Tuesday, June 9.

Because, in handling COVID-19, said Syahrizal, so far the government through health workers has only examined community specimens that are included in the category of people under surveillance (ODP) and patients under surveillance (PDP).

So, if it is true that 80 percent of positive cases are OTG, this needs to be proven by data on specimen examination results from people who do not show symptoms of COVID-19.

"On which basis of examination? The government only checks ODP and PDP specimens. It has never examined OTG specimens. Because so far there is no information that the government is examining OTG specimens," said Syahrizal.

He said, if it was proven, then this would be new information related to COVID-19. Of course it is also very risky to detect an increasingly massive spread of the virus.

"If there is evidence, then this is new information regarding the pathogenicity of the sars-cov2 virus," said Syahrizal.

However, when comparing with other cases, the largest percentage was found in the Diamond Princess Ship case. As many as 51 percent of Asymtomatic cases or people without symptoms were found in these cases. The Asymtomatic case is an OTG group that tested positive for COVID-19 based on PCR laboratory results.

"Examination of the crew and passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship got asymptomatic cases figures of 20 to 51 percent," said Syahrizal.

Then, in the second place, most Asymtomatic cases were in Vietnam with a percentage of 36.9 percent. So, if in Indonesia it reaches 80 percent, then the data related to this must be proven.

"Please give the spokesperson the evidence base for the examination," said Syahrizal.