The number of total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bohol has surged to 167 after 23 new cases of the disease were reported by health authorities on Tuesday.

The Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) reported that 15 of the new cases were from Talibon while five and three others were from Buen Unido and Buenavista, respectively.

According to Governor Arthur yap, 22 of the new COVID-19 cases had no travel history.

Only one of them is a locally stranded individual who had recently arrived in the province.

“Gawas sa LSI nga taga Nueva Estrella, Bien Unido, ang tanan walay mga travel history, dili LSI o OFW. Produkto kini sa atong nagpadayon nga contact tracing,” he said.

“Out of 304 swab samples nga nakuha sa contact tracing team, 22 ang nagpositibo sa COVID-19,” he added.

Yap said that island of Malingin in Bien Unido and Guindacpan in Talibon remained under lockdown due to the spread of the virus.

All of the newly infected individuals have been placed in isolation centers except for one who was admitted at6 the GCGMH.

In Buenavista, three sub-villages in Barangay Putingbato were placed under hard lockdown by the local government unit.

Three of its residents were identified as among the new COVID-19 cases and were traced to be close contacts of a two-year-old who died of the disease last week.

According to Buenavista Mayor Dave Duallo, police and members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit have been deployed to enforce the hard lockdown which was implemented to help contain the spread of the virus.

There are currently 53 active COVID-19 cases in the province.

A total of 109 people have recovered while seven have died due to the disease. (with RT)