SANTIAGO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The confirmed COVID-19 cases in Chile have multiplied in recent weeks due to the Omicron variant of the virus, registering a new record of 24,037 infections in 24 hours on Thursday, as well as a 299-percent jump in two weeks, according to the Ministry of Health.
The ministry also reported 47 deaths related to the disease in the past day, bringing the total caseload to 2,045,874 infections and the death toll to 39,594.
The ministry warned this week that the Omicron variant "is the most contagious so far," causing a resurgence of cases in the middle of the summer and tourism season in the Southern Hemisphere.
In just a few weeks, Omicron has managed to surpass peak infections of nearly 10,000 per day during the winter of 2021.
However, the ministry clarified that this new wave has not led to an increase in critical hospitalizations.
Meanwhile, the number of active cases climbed to an unprecedented 76,778 in the South American country.
In addition, the COVID-19 positivity rate rose to 18.82 percent nationwide and 19.06 percent in the Santiago Metropolitan Region in the past day, according to official figures.
Experts anticipate that infections could reach 40,000 per day in the coming weeks, and urge people to get fully vaccinated, including with two booster doses. ■
