"To anticipate the demand for medicines until December, 2020, the government has continued the provision of COVID-19 medicines," spokesperson for the task force, Wiku Adisasmito, said at an online press conference here on Tuesday.
At the same time, the task force is working to improve public discipline in the implementation of health protocols, he added.
"The government has readied more laboratories and reagents (for COVID-19 testing). Currently, the government has 422 laboratories across Indonesia ready for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and TCM (rapid molecular tests)," Adisasmito said.
PCR tests require samples obtained through nasopharyngeal or throat swabs, while rapid molecular tests use an antigent on samples taken from patients' sputum. The rapid molecular tests identify coronavirus RNA using a special cartridge that can detect the virus.
"The government has prepared PCR reagents for 795 thousand specimens and RNA reagents for 686 thousand specimens," Adisasmito said.
According to him, most of the medicines for COVID-19 are produced by national pharmaceutical companies.
“Its (The medicine's) raw material has entered Indonesia since early April, 2020. As of October 31, 2020, the medicine has been distributed to 34 provincial health offices and 779 hospitals," he added.
The task force has recorded a decline in COVID-19 testing during the long weekend from October 28 to November 1, 2020.
"This is the challenge that we are facing. Remember that the virus has never been off-duty," Adisasmito cautioned.
The task force has been working closely with local governments to increase the capacity of laboratories and other supporting facilities, he said.
"There are some obstacles in the testing, including the vast and dispersed regions. Therefore, we need people's active role to support the testing," he added.
As of Tuesday, the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia have increased by 2,973 to reach 418,375, with recoveries recorded at 349,497 and deaths at 14,146. Meanwhile, the number of suspected patients has been pegged at 56,039.
Meanwhile, Jakarta has added 617 new cases, which have taken the Indonesian capital’s total case tally to 107,846 as of Tuesday. East Java is next with 53,274 cases, Central Java 35,071 cases, West Java 37,408 cases, and South Sulawesi 18,399 cases. (INE)
Related news: Government ensures availability of medicines amid COVID-19 pandemic
Related news: MUI supports indigenous COVID-19 cure to get distribution permit
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Desca Lidya N, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
