MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila still has some 12,000 suspected cases of coronavirus disease 2019, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr.

Galvez – also the chief implementer of the national action plan of the task force against COVID-19 – said yesterday that these suspected cases are the targets of aggressive testing now that the enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region has been extended to May 15.

“We still have 12,000, more or less, suspected COVID-19 cases,” Galvez said noting that the government, with the help of the Metro Manila Development Authority and local government units, aims to bring the suspected number of possible infections to zero.

“We believe that if we will have aggressive testing also in cooperation with the private sector, it is then that we can say if the enhanced community quarantine can already be lifted,” he said.

Galvez said the basis for lifting the quarantine is dependent on several factors, such as the number of new cases and deaths and how hospitals cope with cases.

He noted that the goal is also to prevent a second wave of cases, which may happen if the quarantine is lifted too early.