Chile's Health Ministry reported on Tuesday 5,394 new COVID-19 cases and 37 more deaths in the past 24 hours, for a total caseload of 989,492 infections and 23,107 deaths.
Chile is facing a new COVID-19 outbreak since the end of the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere and the resumption of the school year in March.
The upward surge prompted the government to decree a total quarantine in the Santiago Metropolitan Region and other localities, with the result that some 16 million people are now in confinement.
Health Minister Enrique Paris said COVID-19 cases have increased nationally by 31 percent in the last 14 days, while only two of Chile's 13 regions have seen a decrease in their numbers during this period, leading to an increase in hospital demand throughout the country.
Meanwhile, the mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 is progressing in the South American country, with 6,534,522 people inoculated with at least their first dose, according to the Health Ministry. (/Xinhua)
( With inputs from ANI )
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