Chile's hospitals almost full before virus peak

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

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

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

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

The country has not reached the peak of the spread, as authorities estimate it for late May and early June.

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

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