Virus outbreak hits 89 inmates in Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte logged 92 cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, the highest in a day in the province, and 89 of them were inmates at the provincial jail in the capital city of Laoag, where a virus outbreak was first reported on Nov. 26, officials said.

The infected detainees did not show symptoms and contracted the virus from jail guards, according to jail officials.

Due to the outbreak, the jail was placed on lockdown and was declared a critical zone. On Nov. 27, Gov. Matthew Manotoc put Laoag under stricter modified enhanced community quarantine indefinitely due to the spike in COVID-19 infections, citing medical data and existing Department of Health guidelines. The city was previously under modified general community quarantine.—YOLANDA SOTELO INQ