By Villamor Visaya Jr., Philippine News Agency Stringer and Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Active COVID-19 cases in Nueva Vizcaya ballooned to 800 on Saturday, with 229 new cases, including 22 reinfected individuals, the provincial health office said on Sunday.

Dr. Edwin Galapon, Nueva Vizcaya provincial health officer, said confirmed cases had reached 18,522 with 17,118 recoveries and 604 deaths.

The regional health office has classified Nueva Vizcaya as critical risk, the same status as Cagayan province and the cities of Tuguegarao, and Cauayan and Santiago in Isabela.

Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla said the infections include 28 detainees at the provincial jail.

Contact tracing, testing and isolation, aside from providing medicine and personal protective equipment, have been ongoing inside the jail facility, he added.

Earlier, the provincial capitol compound was locked down from January 12 to 14 for disinfection after several employees tested positive for COVID-19.#