In the Philippines, when the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus seemed inevitable in early March, human rights advocates appealed to authorities to decongest jails and prisons. These facilities were not equipped to respond to a pandemic, did not have enough doctors, and were filled beyond capacity, making social distancing among detainees or inmates impossible.  

However, government officials did not make any significant move to prepare for the potential risk of the virus, and infections began to spread in mid-April. 

See the full timeline here. 

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