Coronavirus: Philippines’ doctors cry out for fresh lockdown as virus cases surge

In an open letter, nearly 70 doctors’ groups and other health care workers called for a two-week ‘time out’ from reopening efforts

Infections have been surging in the country since mid-July, prompting fears that the health care system is already overwhelmed

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Health workers prepare equipment for coronavirus swab testing at a facility in Quezon City, northeast of Manila, on July 30. Photo: EPA

Published: 3:04pm, 1 Aug 2020Updated: 3:39pm, 1 Aug 2020

Doctors in the Philippines are urging the government to reimpose a lockdown in the capital of Manila for two weeks to recalibrate its response to the pandemic, amid a warning that the country is losing the battle against Covid-19.

In an open letter to President Rodrigo Duterte, nearly 70 groups of doctors, nurses and other health care workers called for a two-week “time out” amid the government’s efforts to reopen the economy, which has included easing restrictions throughout the country.

“We are waging a losing battle against Covid-19, and we need to draw up a consolidated, definitive plan of action,” they said in the letter that was also addressed to the health minister and head of a national coronavirus task force.

“We propose that the two-week enhanced community quarantine be used as ‘time out’ to refine our pandemic control strategies, addressing the … urgent problems,” they added.

Police and army personnel stand at a checkpoint in Manila amid the capital’s coronavirus lockdown in March. Photo: AFP

The groups said putting the capital of Manila under lockdown again would allow authorities to address problems with hospital workforce deficiencies, failures in case finding, isolation and contact tracing, as well as transport and workplace safety, and public compliance.

They also want the country’s Department of Health to be the lead agency in the fight against the pandemic and not leave its implementation to local government units.

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