Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

MANILA — Downgrading the pandemic lockdown of some 12 million people Metro Manila is "out of the question", Malacañang said Wednesday, as cases of the novel coronavirus disease continued to spike.

Cases of COVID-19 in the region take 7 to 9 days to double, which "warrants the existing GCQ" or general community quarantine, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

The intensive care units at some hospitals have "filled up", he added.

• PGH says can no longer accept critically ill coronavirus patients
• Kidney Institute's COVID-19 bed capacity reaches 'danger zone'
• ICU beds for coronavirus patients in St. Luke's are full: official

"Easing up of restrictions is out of the question. It was never considered, never agreed upon with the Metro Manila mayors because of the data," he told ANC.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday will likely announce fresh community quarantine classifications, Malacañang earlier said.

Metro Manila has been under GCQ since June 1. This lockdown, the third most lenient in a 4-step scale, allows the reopening of about 75 percent of the economy.