Chile's hospitals almost full before virus peak

Santiago's health system is close to reaching full capacity, health workers' union leer said on Thursday, ding that it's close to collapse as COVID-19 cases have substantially increased in past days.

Health authorities reported an increase of 2,659 cases in last 24 hours and highest number of related deaths, with 22 people.

Chile has a total of 37,040 cases and 368 deaths, according to tally by Johns Hopkins University on Thursday.

As number of cases rises rapidly, Chilean health authorities are hurrying to increase number of beds for critical patients, a plan that was originally scheduled for June.

country has t reached peak of spre, as authorities estimate it for late May and early June.

For most people, new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.