Despite fast vaccination, Chile puts 7 million under strict quarantine

The Health Ministry in Chile announced on Monday that 19 of the country’s communes will return to a state of “total quarantine” by June 6. The move affects 7 million Chileans who will be placed back under strict restrictions.

Despite having 42 percent of its 19 million citizens fully vaccinated — by far the best rate in Latin America — the Andean nation is still struggling to tame the coronavirus spread. The latest official report from health officials informed nearly 6,882 new daily infections, with 96 percent of intensive care beds in Chile currently occupied.

Authorities had been rolling back the strictest restrictions enforced in March — when 70 percent of Chileans were put under quarantine — but a continuing active outbreak has forced the government’s hand.

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