Security personnel wearing face masks walk past a hospital in Quito, Ecuador, March 17, 2020. (Photo by Santiago Armas/Xinhua)
Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo delivered the latest figures after 515 new infections were detected in the past 24 hours and 30 more people died.
QUITO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- In Ecuador 4,965 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and 272 have died from the disease, the Ministry of Public Health said on Thursday.
Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo delivered the latest figures after 515 new infections were detected in the past 24 hours and 30 more people died.
Romo took the opportunity to stress the need to continue with the containment measures, saying "no permits" will be issued for any kind of mass gatherings in the lead up to Holy Week celebrations this weekend.
"They are important celebrations for the faith of millions of citizens, but that does not in any way justify lifting the lockdown. It (Holy Week) cannot be a motive for gatherings or meetings, they are banned," said Romo. ■
