The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) yesterday again urged the government to lock down the country, given the raging spread of the Delta variant of Covid 19.

Writing to the Health Minister and senior health professionals, the AMS has said that their concerns, warnings and predictions are purely based on science, statistics and ground realities.

Given below is the AMS letter in full: “Whilst appreciating all the measures your Excellency and the government has taken to impose stricter travel and other restrictions, we plead ONCE AGAIN for further clamping down of movements as recommended by the WHO expert panel before the spread of this Delta variant becomes unstoppable and catastrophic.

“It is no secret that almost all hospitals (state & private) have reached their full capacity and the preventive services are exhausted. Moreover, the number of patients requiring oxygen and other intensive care facilities have gone up to dangerous levels which may result in inability to provide optimal care for both Covid and non-Covid patients. To make matters worse, the number of Health care workers infected with Covid-19 are increasing day by day.

“Although it may be a little too late, we still believe that stricter measures implemented at this critical juncture could still slow down this human-to-human spread and hence this alarming mortality and morbidity until our society reaches adequate levels of immunity by vaccination. If prompt and stern interventions are not adopted as recommended by the WHO experts at this critical juncture, we could face an unprecedented disaster overwhelming all the resources at our disposal.

“We, as a responsible professional organization, have brought many issues to the attention of your Excellency and the government very constructively, purely for the sake of our fellow citizens. We also take this opportunity to appeal to all religious leaders, community leaders and the general public to make individual or collective decisions to protect our citizens from the spread of Covid 19.

“Therefore, we wish to appeal to all citizens of our country for a stricter self-imposed isolation. This is not only applicable to individuals but also for larger ventures like Department stores, shops, factories, offices and restaurants where owners and managers could decide on their behalf to take measures on self-isolation. Already there are such instances where certain trade associations have made collective decisions.

“We plead to all citizens of our country at this crucial juncture to adopt tougher measures, although they may be damaging to livelihoods, as this is the only practical measure at our disposal to save lives.