The local government of Manila said it is already preparing for possible lockdown in the capital city due to the rising number of COVID-19 Delta variant cases in the country.
On July 28, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso called for an emergency meeting with Vice Mayor Ma. Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan and other local officials to discuss ways on how the city can mitigate the spread of the Delta variant.
In the meeting, the Manila Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), the Manila Barangay Bureau (MBB), and the Manila Police Department (MPD) were tasked to be “on alert” in case a granular lockdown will be needed in the city.
Domagoso said he has also coordinated with the city’s six district hospitals, the COVID-19 Field Hospital, and the City Health Department in preparation for a possible surge in cases.
The current occupancy rate of the six district hospitals is at 32 percent, while the COVID-19 Field hospital is at 65 percent.
"Ayaw na nating marinig na may mga namatay sa parking lot dahil wala nang space sa ospital (We no longer want to hear that there was somebody who died in a parking lot because the hospitals are already full),” Domagoso said.
The mayor, meanwhile, assured that the local government is gearing up efforts to prevent a possible surge in COVID-19 cases in the city.
"The City of Manila has actually been preparing for the worst-case scenario over the past few months. Kahit nung hindi pa nagka-surge (Even during the time when there was no surge yet), we have kept on adding to our quarantine facilities and other resources in response to the pandemic. Hindi talaga dapat maging kampante (We should not be complacent),” he said.
As of noon of July 28, the city of Manila has recorded 642 active cases.