It is still “too early” to recommend whether the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed in Metro Manila will be extended after August 20, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Thursday, August 12.

Robredo, an opposition leader, cited some of the health experts’ assessment of the situation in the capital region to determine whether to extend the ECQ.

“Kailangan ba talaga? Kasi iyong isa namang tinitingnan, ito iyong pino-propose ng ibang mga experts na hindi naman kailangan na buong Metro Manila o buong Metro Manila bubble iyong i-extend ang ECQ (Is it really needed? Because one of those being considered is what other experts propose the ECQ extension is not necessary in the entire Metro Manila or Metro Manila bubble),” she said.

“Puwede iyong mga small bubbles, doon lang talaga sa mga areas na kailangan (It can be extended in the small bubbles, in areas where it is really needed),” Robredo added.

READ: DOH says extension of ECQ in Metro Manila 'possible'

The ECQ—the strictest quarantine measure in the Philippines—is currently in place for two weeks in Metro Manila and some provinces—from August 6 to 20.

The spread of COVID-19 infections in past days has brought the pandemic in the country to its worst phase again, with 12,021 new cases on Wednesday, the highest so far in four months.

Health experts fear the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases is because of the local transmission of the more contagious Delta variant that also drove a high number of cases in children.

READ: DOH reports over 12K new COVID-19 cases; active cases top 81K

Robredo stressed the government should look into the available data in making its decision on extending the ECQ in Metro Manila.

“So iyon lang naman iyong lagi natin ine-emphasize: na kung ano man iyong mga policies, dapat parati siyang naka-base sa datos para hindi tayo nagkakamali (So that’s what we always emphasize: whatever are the policies, it should always be based on data in order for us not to commit mistakes),” she said.

While the ECQ is in place, the vice president reiterated the need for the government to ramp up its testing capacity to combat the current surge.

According to Robredo, the high positivity rate shows that “we are not testing enough.”

“Kapag napakataas ng positivity rate, kailangan iyong aim natin mapababa siya (If the positivity rate is very high, our aim is to lower it to) less than five percent. And mapapababa siya (to lower it) to less than five percent if we test enough,” she noted.