MANILA BACK UNDER LOCKDOWN AS CASES SURGE

The Philippines is to reinstate a stricter lockdown on its capital, Manila, Tuesday after warnings from medical groups over the weekend that hospitals are losing the battle against the coronavirus.

President Rodrigo Duterte apologized as the number of cases breached 100,000 and he reintroduced a “modified enhanced community quarantine” for the capital and its outlying districts. The measure will restrict non-essential businesses and allow people to leave home only for work or to buy food.

“We’re doing our very best. Sorry, Manila,” said Duterte, shown, during a televised broadcast late on Sunday, after the Philippines recorded 5,032 additional infections, the country’s largest single-day increase.

The 106,330 case count and 2,104 death toll is second only to Indonesia in southeast Asia, despite previously imposing one of the longest and strictest quarantine periods in the world, from March 15 to June 1, bringing the economy to its knees.