Rise in COVID-19 cases: Doctors call on government to impose nationwide lockdown

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): Six doctors have urged Putrajaya to consider ordering a country wide lockdown in light of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

In a joint statement, the doctors said they believe that a lockdown would allow carriers of the virus to be easily isolated and identified.

“My medical colleagues and I have been engrossed with the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can see the alarming rate at which it is increasing, from 41 new cases yesterday to 190 today.

“I am sure you are assisted by eminent members of the medical fraternity, including ID (infectious disease) physicians, intensivists, virologists and epidemiologists. But, I wonder if the authorities have considered a lockdown?

“The advice for social distancing has obviously fallen on deaf ears, as I see people going about their daily lives as if there is no threat at all.

“I do consider the implication of such measures, but we do not want to be too late, like other countries, which are fighting a losing battle now. Every day matters,” the statement said.

“If a lockdown is imposed, the many carriers in the community now will surface when they develop symptoms, while at the same time, they do not infect others. I understand the impact on social order and the economy (this would entail) but if it blows out, we will be dealing with a worse outcome,” the statement added.

The joint statement was signed by Dr Teoh Boon Wei, Dr Asha Prerna, Dr Devindran Manoharan, Dr Sivaneswaran Annandan, Dr Kumar Neeraj, and Dr Komella Prakasam.

Meanwhile, Xinhua news agency reported that Metro Manila of the Philippines has imposed a curfew starting yesterday.

It will be enforced from 8pm to 5am until April 14.

"To limit the spread of the virus we need to limit also the movement of the people," Bong Nebrija of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority told a news conference.

The whole of the Republic of Ireland went into lockdown from Friday until March 29.