Experts urge circuit breaker lockdown for Metro Manila

Experts studying the COVID-19 pandemic recommend a two-week 'circuit breaker' lockdown for Metro Manila to prevent a surge in cases due to the Delta variant.

As of July 29, there are at least 216 known cases of the Delta variant in the country.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III agreed with Octa Research that a circuit breaker lockdown should be implemented despite the DOH's lack of definitive evidence of a surge.

OCTA Research estimates that without a circuit breaker lockdown starting Aug. 1, daily infections could reach up to 5,000 by late August from an average of 1,000 cases per day.

The goal is to keep the reproduction number (R) below 1 to contain virus transmission; currently, Metro Manila's R has risen from 0.6 last month to 1.33.