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'Dangerous': Infectious disease expert against call for lifting of lockdowns

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<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qm6eCoN2H-w?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>MANILA - An infectious disease expert warned Wednesday against calls for the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns across the country as they urged the public to take preventive health measures.The Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines (CDC-PH) last week launched the #FlattenTheFear campaign, which urges government to end lockdowns and promote intake of proper nutrition to boost one&#x27;s immune system.Lifting of virus restrictions should only be implemented once there is a &quot;significant drop&quot; in COVID-19 cases, said Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of adult infectious disease at the San Lazaro Hospital.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/22/20/flatten-the-fear-doctors-group-seeks-gradual-lifting-of-lockdowns">Flatten the fear: Doctors&#x27; group seeks gradual lifting of lockdowns</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/21/20/ex-health-chief-seeks-nationwide-health-promotion-lifting-of-lockdowns">Ex-health chief seeks nationwide &#x27;health promotion,&#x27; lifting of lockdowns</a></li></ul>&quot;It’s really dangerous to look at it that when you lift the lockdown and take vitamins, prophylaxis...you have that false belief that when you&#x27;re taking these drugs you&#x27;ll have less harm against the virus,&quot; he told ANC.&quot;It&#x27;s very dangerous. Premature lifting of the lockdown and taking the prophylaxis, you are facing 2 very dangerous interventions here that has not been proven at this point when our cases are still ongoing.&quot;There is &quot;nothing wrong&quot; with taking vitamins and getting exercise to boost one&#x27;s immune system, Solante added.&quot;But again you have to maximize and keep the protocol, wear your face mask, face shield, and keep distance,&quot; he said.Solante also said hydroxychloroquine has not been proven effective both as treatment or prophylaxis (preventive measure) against COVID-19, contrary to the doctors&#x27; group recommendation.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/07/05/20/who-halts-hydroxychloroquine-hiv-drugs-in-covid-trials">WHO halts hydroxychloroquine, HIV drugs in COVID trials</a></li></ul>&quot;Studies were done including the use of this as prophylaxis and they found this drug has no role in this area of treatment, both as prophylaxis and treatment,&quot; he said.Solante also denied that there was an &quot;exaggeration&quot; in disseminating information about COVID-19.&quot;The deaths alone and the number of severe, critical that are hospitalized, I don&#x27;t think that’s a situation you’ll say there’s an exaggeration,&quot; he said.&quot;People are dying, suffering and you will say there&#x27;s an exaggeration of COVID-19. I’m glad to take them and tour them to our hospital and see these severe, critical people who are suffering with COVID-19.&quot;The Philippines as of Tuesday reported 291,789 cases of COVID-19, with 5,049 deaths and 230,643 recoveries.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/22/20/philippines-covid19-cases-coronavirus-udpate-tally">Coronavirus deaths in Philippines top 5,000; additional 1,635 infections recorded</a></li></ul>

An infectious disease expert warned Wednesday against calls for the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns across the country as they urged the public to take preventive health measures.

An infectious disease expert warned Wednesday against calls for the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns across the country as they urged the public to take preventive health measures.