Government Admits Inequality in PCR Tests in DKI and Other Provinces

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –

Deputy for Education and Religion of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) Agus Sartono said he was worried about the imbalance in the number of polymerase chain reactions (PCR) test between DKI Provinces Jakarta with other provinces in Indonesia.

Agus said the imbalance in the number of PCR tests in DKI and other regions was revealed from the comparison of corona data from the central government and DKI Jakarta.

From this data, it is known that the number of PCR tests for all provinces, as of August 9, 2020, reached 972,594 people. Meanwhile, DKI has conducted PCR tests on 459,049 people.

If the number of DKI tests is separated, the total tests carried out by 33 other provinces with a population of 260 million people, only 513,545 PCR tests.

In other words, the population of DKI Jakarta, which is only 4 percent of the national population, has carried out a PCR test of up to 47 percent.

“If you look at the data, you are also worried. Could it be that in other places (positive cases of Covid-19) it is low because there are far fewer tested ones,” said Agus via text message to CNNIndonesia.com, Monday (10/8).

Agus also worries about the Ministry of Education and Culture’s policy of allowing schools to open in green and yellow zones.

He then urged governors and regional heads in 33 other provinces to immediately pursue the PCR test standards.

“Because otherwise it will be difficult to break the chain of Covid when public discipline is not that good,” he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) itself has set a standard number of tests, namely 1 per 1,000 population per week. Only by meeting these standards can the number of cases in the region be considered valid by WHO.

Agus said the high number of positive cases in Jakarta was due to massive tests that had exceeded WHO standards. This is not the case in the region.

“Meanwhile, other provinces have a low positive indicator of testing so low this would be a ticking time bomb. I think it’s good to awaken all of us, “he said.

For now, said Agus, his party will continue to communicate with all related parties in order to continue to minimize the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak which is currently getting higher.

“I continue to communicate with the Ministry to maintain health protocols,” he said.

(tst/wis)

[Gambas:Video CNN]

–