Indonesia Targets Testing Of 267 Thousand People Per Week Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

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JAKARTA - The Task Force for Handling COVID-19 said testing people to track COVID-19 cases had succeeded in meeting 70.13 percent of the World Health Organization (WHO) target. As a further step, Indonesia is now targeting to be able to test 267 thousand people per week.

"In the first week of October, Indonesia has reached 70.13 percent of the WHO target. We must continue to chase so that we can actually achieve the WHO target of 267,000 tested per week," said Wiku Adisasmito, spokesman for the COVID-19 Task Force. in a press conference broadcast online, Tuesday, October 6.

As for WHO standards, this testing ratio is 1 person per 1,000 population per week. This means, to get maximum tracking, the government must at least conduct tests on 267 thousand people because the population in Indonesia reaches 267 million.

Next, Wiku touched on the problem of the high positivity rate in Indonesia. Based on data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, the positivity rate in September reached 16.11 percent or three times the WHO standard figure of five percent.

With this figure, Wiku then asked each province to make corrections and reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in their respective regions.

"This figure is very large and must be immediately suppressed and corrected, do more testing and discipline health protocols so that transmission does not occur and the positivity rate can decrease," he said.

"We remind the public to remain disciplined in adhering to health protocols in every activity. Immediately carry out an examination or testing if they experience symptoms of COVID-19," he added.

Wiku also ensured that the government would continue to ensure good and standard health services for COVID-19 patients. So it is hoped that in the future the number of recovered patients will continue to increase. In addition, the high positivity rate should be an evaluation material for all parties.

"The Task Force reminds us that these numbers are used as evaluation materials for all of us. Don't let your guard down and then contribute to the increase in cases and the number of deaths due to COVID-19," he concluded.