Manila prepares for looming lockdown amid Delta threat

The city government of Manila is gearing up for a possible implementation of a lockdown in Metro Manila to curb transmission of the more infectious Delta variant of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

In a statement, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said he already tasked the Manila Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office, the Manila Barangay Bureau, and the Manila Police Department to alert its forces in case of a granular lockdown.

Moreno also coordinated with the directors of the six district hospitals, the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital and the Manila Health Department in case of another surge of COVID-19 cases.

"Ayaw na nating marinig na may mga namatay sa parking lot dahil wala ng space sa ospital. Grabeng dagdag pasakit 'yun," Moreno said.

(We don't want to hear about people dying in parking lots because of space constraints. That's an added burden.)

So far, Manila has 642 active cases of COVID-19.

The six district hospitals currently have a 32% bed capacity, while the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital has a 65% bed occupancy rate.

The COVID-19 quarantine facility, meanwhile, has a 9% occupancy rate.

Earlier in the day, deputy chief implementer of government pandemic task force Vince Dizon said the government was open to implementing a proposed lockdown amid the threat of the Delta variant.

The OCTA Research group has previously recommended a "circuit-breaker" lockdown in the capital region. -MDM, GMA News