It's possible to put "Modified ECQ" for Metro Manila next week : OCTA Research

 Source: ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Easing Metro Manila's quarantine level is "possible" next week as the virus reproduction rate in the capital region is slowing, independent research group OCTA said Tuesday.

Malacañang earlier said it was considering to place Metro Manila under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) after 2 weeks of strict lockdown or ECQ, the highest in a 4-step level.

The capital region's current COVID-19 reproduction number, or the number of people infected by a virus patient, is at 1.53 as of Monday, said OCTA Research fellow Guido David.

It is expected to slow to 1.2 after 2 weeks of ECQ, David added.

"Possible naman...Kung ganun, pag malapit na siya sa 1, kahit mag-MECQ tayo pwede natin mapapababa 'yan sa 1 within the following week," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

(If it's close to 1, even if we're placed under MECQ we can lower it to 1 within the following week.)

"Yung projection natin mukhang aabot naman tayo ng 1.2 reproduction number or even less. Baka hindi na necessary i-extend ang ECQ."

(Our projection is we can make it to 1.2 reproduction number or even less. It might not be necessary to extend ECQ.)

Officials may reevaluate by end of the week on whether to extend strict lockdown in the capital region and nearby provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, according to David.