WINNIPEG – A group of Manitoba doctors is calling for a province-wide shutdown as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise.

The 11 physicians and health experts have signed a letter to Premier Brian Pallister urging him to take action to avoid an appalling and pointless loss of life.

They say if there’s no lockdown, hospitals will treat hundreds more patients infected with coronavirus and people will die.

The doctors believe there could be 500 cases a day in a few weeks.

Health Minister Cameron Friesen says it isn’t accurate to say the system is on the brink because ICU’s are near capacity.