Ecuador reports 2,199 new cases of COVID-19

Ecuador registered 2,199 cases and 109 more deaths from the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 344,877 and bringing the death toll to 12,356, the Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday.

The number of confirmed deaths in the last 24 hours is the highest that has been reported during the pandemic.

In addition to confirmed deaths, another eight deaths that were probably caused by the disease were reported, bringing the total to 4,919.

The province of Pichincha, where the capital of Quito is located, has registered the highest number of cases of COVID-19, followed by the provinces of Guayas and Azuay.

Quito Mayor Jorge Yunda urged the government on Friday to declare another state of emergency for 15 days after the second round of presidential elections that will take place on Sunday in order to slow the spread of the virus and reduce pressure on hospitals.

As of Tuesday, 244,159 people had received the first dose of vaccine and 112,624 had received both, according to the Ministry of Health.