'Losing battle': Philippine doctors, nurses urge new COVID-19 lockdowns as infections surge

Vendors and customers wear masks for protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while making transactions at a market in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 21, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday ordered his coronavirus task force to address the concerns of more than a million doctors and nurses who called for reviving strict lockdowns after a third day of record infections.

But the government cast doubt on the request of the frontline healthcare workers to revive strict lockdowns of the populous area in and around the capital Manila.