The COVID-19 Task Force: Testing Capacity In Indonesia Is Nearly Close To The WHO Target

Spokesperson for the Task Force (Task Force) Handling COVID-19 Wiku Adisasmito

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Task Force (Task Force) Handling COVID-19 Wiku Adisasmito said the capacity for COVID-19 testing in Indonesia continues to increase. Even in the first week of December, the number of tests carried out by Indonesia was close to the target set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"In the first week of December 2020, the number of tests carried out by Indonesia reached 96.35 percent and is getting closer to the WHO target," Wiku said in an online press conference broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Tuesday, December 8.

WHO previously targeted a COVID-19 test for each country at 1 per 1,000 population per week. This means, if it is adjusted to the conditions in the country which has a population of 267 million, it means that every week, Indonesia has to test 267 thousand people.

Returning to Wiku, although the number of tests continued to increase closer to the WHO target, this is also in line with the increase in positive cases and this indicates the rate of transmission is getting out of control.

"Therefore, please cooperate seriously. Do not let our hard work be lost all this time," he said.

In order to anticipate an increase in COVID-19 cases in various regions, especially at the end of this year, Wiku asked the regional task forces to continue to coordinate with the central task force. Coordination must be carried out to prevent shortages of medical equipment and medicines that could interfere with the care of patients exposed to this virus.

"I ask that the regions immediately coordinate with the central task force if there is a shortage of medicines, reagents and personal protective equipment. Ensure that these logistical needs are sufficient so that they do not hamper the handling of COVID-19 patients in all health facilities in Indonesia," he said.

Previously reported, the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) released the latest additional positive cases of COVID-19 today. A total of 52,819 specimens were examined today. As a result, there were 5,292 new positive cases of COVID-19.

"The total accumulation of positive cases since COVID-19 was discovered in Indonesia reached 586,842 people," the Ministry of Health was quoted as saying, Tuesday, December 8.

Today's cases increased by 4,295, so that a total of 483,497 people recovered. Then, the confirmed positive cases that died increased by 133 people and a total of 18,000 people.

The province with the most new cases was in DKI Jakarta with 1,194 new cases and a total of 146,621 cases. DKI Jakarta is also the province with the most accumulated cases in Indonesia.

Followed by Central Java which has 768 new cases with a total of 61,877 cases. West Java has 731 new cases and a total of 61,175 cases. Then, East Java has 542 new cases and a total of 66,099 cases.

The province with the most cases recovered today belongs to DKI Jakarta with an increase of 1,189 recovered cases. Followed by West Java with an increase of 742 recovered cases, East Java with an increase of 529 recovered cases, and Central Java with an increase of 423 recovered cases.