Study shows 8,000 additional deaths in Mexican capital as coronavirus rages

FILE PHOTO: Mourners watch as the coffin of Horacio Servando Parada, 65, who died of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is covered with dirt during his burial according to indigenous Mazahua tradition, in San Antonio Pueblo Nuevo, in the state of Mexico, Mexico May 21, 2020. REUTERS/Gustavo Graf

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's capital registered 8,072 more deaths in the first five months this year than the average from the same period over the past four years, an analysis by independent researchers showed on Monday, suggesting a possible surge due to the coronavirus.

Health officials have reported 1,655 deaths from the virus in Mexico City, out of 7,394 deaths nationwide. They have also acknowledged that the true death toll is higher, but difficult to estimate due to a low testing rate.