Duterte's economic team OKs stricter lockdown amid Delta threat

President Rodrigo Duterte's economic team has conceded to a possible revert to more stringent lockdown measures to prevent the further spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III stated that the new variant has forced the country to take a step backward to protect its gains in combating the virus.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua acknowledged the higher risks posed by the Delta strain, which has caused surges in neighboring countries.

The government is considering a "hard" lockdown in August, similar to the ECQ implemented in the NCR Plus bubble from late March to mid-April.

The Philippines has confirmed 119 cases of the Delta variant, with the actual number suspected to be higher.

Despite prolonged lockdowns, the country continues to struggle with containing the virus, which has infected over 1.5 million and claimed more than 27,000 lives.