For the second consecutive day, Chile registered more than 2,000 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), with 2,056 new infections in the last 24 hours, the highest figure since July, the Ministry of Health reported on Saturday.

"In recent days, we have seen an increase in the number of new cases of coronavirus and we are very attentive to the evolution of the epidemiological situation," said Chilean Health Minister Enrique Paris.

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"In the framework of this scenario, it is essential that people have adequate protection against the virus, especially with the booster dose, which has demonstrated effectiveness in avoiding hospitalization and admission to ICUs," he added.

The official called on the population to go to vaccination centers, saying, "We have enough doses and, in fact, (on Friday), a new shipment with 225,810 doses from the Pfizer-BioNTech laboratory arrived in our country, with which we surpassed the 39 million doses that have arrived in Chile since this campaign began.

"The total number of people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the country increased on Saturday to 1,680,017, with another 11 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 37,662."

For the second consecutive day, Chile registered more than 2,000 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), with 2,056 new infections in the last 24 hours, the highest figure since July, the Ministry of Health reported on Saturday.

For the second consecutive day, Chile registered more than 2,000 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), with 2,056 new infections in the last 24 hours, the highest figure since July, the Ministry of Health reported on Saturday. "In recent days, we have seen an increase in the number of new cases of coronavirus and we are very attentive to the evolution of the epidemiological situation," said Chilean Health Minister Enrique Paris. Also Read | Memes helped people cope up with Covid pandemic-related stress, says US study "In the framework of this scenario, it is essential that people have adequate protection against the virus, especially with the booster dose, which has demonstrated effectiveness in avoiding hospitalization and admission to ICUs," he added. The official called on the population to go to vaccination centers, saying, "We have enough doses and, in fact, (on Friday), a new shipment with 225,810 doses from the Pfizer-BioNTech laboratory arrived in our country, with which we surpassed the 39 million doses that have arrived in Chile since this campaign began. "The total number of people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the country increased on Saturday to 1,680,017, with another 11 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 37,662."

Chile registers highest number of daily cases of COVID-19 since July

Many countries have expressed a change in a relationship after Joe Biden was unofficially declared the President-elect of the US. The Chilean health minister, too, said he hopes the US will not get involved in COVID-19 vaccine false trade wars under the new leadership.

Enrique Paris, Chile's health minister, said he believes Biden's leadership will allow other countries to present a more united front against the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine.

"There was a trade war in which those who could pay more got more and those who could take things out of or even rupture distribution chains did so," he said in an interview.

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Paris said he has seen one of the worst dealings of medical supplies from the side of the US. "It was horrible and I hope it doesn't happen again," Paris said. "I believe that Mr. Biden has another vision of what is diplomacy and global understanding between countries."

He hopes now that under Biden's leadership will allow for countries to present a more united front against the coronavirus pandemic. He also said he is expecting that the commercial battles by several countries will come to a halt, including in the United States, now with a change in leadership.

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"We should not think of ourselves as in a zone of stability," he said. "We must not lower our guard."

Chile is worried that vaccine, such as&nbsp;Pfizer which has proved 90 per cent effective in trials, would not be provided to the Latin American states, as the countries prepare for the second wave of coronavirus.

"We proposed as ministers that there should be just one format ... a more equitable way for everyone to choose or for everyone to receive the vaccines that the WHO deems appropriate for each country," he said.

Many countries have expressed a change in a relationship after Joe Biden was unofficially declared the President-elect of the US. The Chilean health minister, too, said he hopes the US will not get involved in COVID-19 vaccine false trade wars under the new leadership.

Many countries have expressed a change in a relationship after Joe Biden was unofficially declared the President-elect of the US. The Chilean health minister, too, said he hopes the US will not get involved in COVID-19 vaccine false trade wars under the new leadership. Enrique Paris, Chile's health minister, said he believes Biden's leadership will allow other countries to present a more united front against the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine. "There was a trade war in which those who could pay more got more and those who could take things out of or even rupture distribution chains did so," he said in an interview. × Paris said he has seen one of the worst dealings of medical supplies from the side of the US. "It was horrible and I hope it doesn't happen again," Paris said. "I believe that Mr. Biden has another vision of what is diplomacy and global understanding between countries." He hopes now that under Biden's leadership will allow for countries to present a more united front against the coronavirus pandemic. He also said he is expecting that the commercial battles by several countries will come to a halt, including in the United States, now with a change in leadership. Also read| US records more than 150,000 COVID-19 cases in a day "We should not think of ourselves as in a zone of stability," he said. "We must not lower our guard." Chile is worried that vaccine, such as Pfizer which has proved 90 per cent effective in trials, would not be provided to the Latin American states, as the countries prepare for the second wave of coronavirus. "We proposed as ministers that there should be just one format ... a more equitable way for everyone to choose or for everyone to receive the vaccines that the WHO deems appropriate for each country," he said.

Chile hopes Biden's administration will not repeat COVID-19 vaccine 'trade war'

Chileans took to streets to protest to mark the one year anniversary of the demonstrations that rocked the country last year with reports of at least two churches being torched on Sunday.

Chileans took to streets to protest to mark the one year anniversary of the demonstrations that rocked the country last year with reports of at least two churches being torched on Sunday. The demonstration comes just a week before the country votes in a referendum to replace the constitution. As people gathered at Plaza Italia which was largely peaceful, the protests turned violent with reports of looting and vandalism as one church near Plaza Italia was burnt. Firefighters fought to get the blaze under control as protesters defaced a statue with red paint amid the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the country which has claimed 13,600 lives with at least 490,000 infected. President Sebastian Pinera had earlier called for peaceful protests. The protests last year had broken after a hike in metro fare and then turned into an all-out anti-government protest against rising inequality in the country as supermarkets were looted and buses set ablaze even as the riot police fired tear gas and used water cannons to control the crowd. The protesters last year had clashed with riot officers hurling rocks and projectiles with slingshots with several police officers hurt in the encounter. The country has been reeling under the coronavirus pandemic as the government earlier announced a $12 billion economic stimulus package to overcome the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. The Chilean government was earlier criticised for lax lockdown measures as the virus spread in the country.

Churches burnt as Chile protest anniversary turns violent

Coronavirus cases have been on a steep rise in the western South American country, Chile, despite lockdowns being initiated.

Health Minister Jaime Manalich Friday reported 4,207 new infections and 92 deaths in the past 24 hours.

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Chile's capital,&nbsp;Santiago, has been under a strict lockdown for the past three weeks, now entering into the fourth week. However, the steep increase in the number of positive cases and COVID related deaths is a growing concern for the government.

While a strict lockdown was initiated, questions are being raised on the implementation of the lockdown now. According to reports and local media, the lockdown has so far only managed to restrict 30 per cent of movement in the capital, as a large number of permits have been issued to the apparent&nbsp;essential workers.

While the government is being blamed for distribution of movement passes, partial blame is also being assigned to the workers of&nbsp;the informal economy, who have continued to&nbsp;ignore the ban.

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The government said it will step up checks, reasoning that for containment to be effective, movement has to be restricted by 50 percent.

“The decision was made to supervise quarantine compliance in the metropolitan region much more intensively now, given the number of cases,” Manalich told reporters.

He also assured the masses that the rapid tests for the novel coronavirus will be increased, and the country will also start rapid saliva tests.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-raises-alarm-over-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-in-latin-america-301295">Also read:&nbsp;WHO raises alarm over surge in coronavirus cases in Latin America</a>

“We already know that saliva shows much more sensitive information than bronchial swabs, and this is safer for health personnel and more efficient,” he said.

Total number of cases is near 122,000 with 1,448 reported deaths. However, experts believe the number of COVID-related deaths is higher.&nbsp;

Experts believe more than 700 deaths remain uncounted as few people died without testing positive in April and May.

(With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus cases have been on a steep rise in the western South American country, Chile, despite lockdowns being initiated. Health Minister Jaime Manalich Friday reported 4,207 new infections and 92 deaths in the past 24 hours.

Coronavirus cases have been on a steep rise in the western South American country, Chile, despite lockdowns being initiated. Health Minister Jaime Manalich Friday reported 4,207 new infections and 92 deaths in the past 24 hours. Also read| COVID 19: India crosses 2.3 lakh mark with 9,887 new cases and 6,642 deaths Chile's capital, Santiago, has been under a strict lockdown for the past three weeks, now entering into the fourth week. However, the steep increase in the number of positive cases and COVID related deaths is a growing concern for the government. While a strict lockdown was initiated, questions are being raised on the implementation of the lockdown now. According to reports and local media, the lockdown has so far only managed to restrict 30 per cent of movement in the capital, as a large number of permits have been issued to the apparent essential workers. While the government is being blamed for distribution of movement passes, partial blame is also being assigned to the workers of the informal economy, who have continued to ignore the ban. Also watch| Chilean youth flaunting guidelines pose coronavirus risk The government said it will step up checks, reasoning that for containment to be effective, movement has to be restricted by 50 percent. “The decision was made to supervise quarantine compliance in the metropolitan region much more intensively now, given the number of cases,” Manalich told reporters. He also assured the masses that the rapid tests for the novel coronavirus will be increased, and the country will also start rapid saliva tests. Also read: WHO raises alarm over surge in coronavirus cases in Latin America “We already know that saliva shows much more sensitive information than bronchial swabs, and this is safer for health personnel and more efficient,” he said. Total number of cases is near 122,000 with 1,448 reported deaths. However, experts believe the number of COVID-related deaths is higher. Experts believe more than 700 deaths remain uncounted as few people died without testing positive in April and May. (With inputs from agencies)

Chile: COVID-19 deaths increase by 53% in one week, total cases now 122,000