Jokowi Wants 10,000 COVID-19 PCR Rapid Tests per Day
Translator
Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor
Petir Garda Bhwana
Senin, 13 April 2020 12:29 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo demanded the national COVID-19 mitigation task force increase the number of the PCR or polymerase chain reaction testing, which are aimed at detecting the coronavirus infection.
He said he did not want a buildup of patients’ samples, especially in the virus epicenter regions such as Jakarta.
“To date, 26,500 PCR tests have been carried out. This is a good jump. But I want us to hold at least over 10,000 tests daily,” said the president when opening a meeting regarding the task force’s reports on Monday, April 13.
Based on the reports he received, he mentioned that the number of laboratories handling the virus tests rose from three to 29. In total, 78 laboratories will be prepared, he added.
Given the high demands for the tests, the state head appreciated the procurement of 18 PCR rapid tests initiated by the Home Affairs Ministry. The medical tools from Rosche, Switzerland, were reportedly arrived in Indonesia last week.
Jokowi hoped a total of 123 devices could be installed this week. “In a day, one device can be used for 500 PCR tests. It means, 9,000 tests can be made by using 18 devices per day. This is a good [move],” he said.
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