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MANILA – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that partial restrictions in and around the capital Manila will be in place for another month from September 1 to address a growing number of coronavirus cases and further expand capacity. hospitable.
Duterte announced the decision in a televised speech late at night after the Health Ministry reported another 3,446 new coronavirus cases and 38 deaths that day, bringing its total count to 220,819 cases with 3,558 deaths.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said daily reported cases “remain high,” citing the need to intensify anti-COVID-19 measures to decrease the infection rate, which is the highest in Southeast Asia.
The time for cases to double has been cut from seven to 12 to 13 days, Duque said.
Carlito Gálvez, the former military chief in charge of the national coronavirus task force, said the government was working to increase hospital capacity and would add 1,000 beds in Manila and nearby provinces, which account for the majority of cases.
“We need to strengthen treatment facilities, especially ICUs (intensive care units), given the possibility of an increase in serious cases once we open up the economy more,” said Gálvez during the meeting of the working group with the president.
Manila reimposed strict lockdown measures on August 19 to boost business activity and the economy, which fell into recession for the first time in 29 years with a record drop in the second quarter.
Most businesses, including canteen services, will be able to reopen, said Harry Roque, a spokesman for Duterte. Religious services will continue to be allowed with a maximum attendance of 10 people.
People should also wear masks in public and observe a one meter social distancing, while children, the elderly and pregnant women should stay home, Roque said.
The government has tested more than 2.4 million people and aims to test 10 million, or nearly a tenth of the population, by the second quarter. —Report by Karen Lema; Edited by Richard Chang
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