PPKM Emergency, Government Increases COVID-19 Testing Rate 4 Times Than Previously

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi (Photo: setkab.go.id)

JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the government would increase the number of people who were tested for COVID-19 or tested four times more than before.

This began to be implemented during the implementation of emergency PPKM in Java and Bali from 3 to 20 July. Budi claims this is in accordance with WHO guidelines.

"We will also increase our testing and tracing to 3 to 4 times the current one," Budi said at a virtual press conference, Thursday, July 1.

Budi said this massive test step was also carried out in other countries that were experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases. On average, Indonesia's testing rate per day reaches 100 thousand to 150 thousand.

"From around 100 thousand (tests per day), now we can increase it to 400 thousand to 500 thousand tests per day. We have provided guidance in accordance with WHO standards," said Budi.

The central government has set a target to increase the number of tests in each area. If the area has a positivity rate below 5 percent, then it only needs to check 1 person per 1,000 residents per week.

If the positivity rate is 5 to 15 percent, the test is carried out on 5 people per 1,000 population per week. The positivity rate is 15 to 25 percent, the test is carried out on 10 people per 1,000 population per week.

"If the regions or clusters have a high positivity rate, above 25 percent, we have to increase it 15 times or 15 tests per 1,000 population per week," he said.

Budi emphasized that the testing carried out was included in the epidemiological record, not just screening. "What we are really after are suspects and their close contacts. Not screening, or where he wants to go, where to go, but really specifically for epidemiological testing because this is paid for by the state," he explained.

Then, the local government can also conduct an examination using rapid antigen if the PCR swab takes a long time. "The test results must come out within 24 hours. If the PCR cannot come out and within 24 hours, we use rapid antigen," he concluded.