QUITO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health on Thursday reported 1,000 new daily COVID-19 cases and four fatalities, raising the total number of cases to 212,512 and the death toll to 9,473.
The virus continued to spread throughout the South American country, with its capital Quito hit hardest as it climbed to a total of 69,583 infections, according to the ministry.
Health Minister Juan Carlos Zevallos told the media on Wednesday that hospital bed occupancy was at 78.8 percent nationally, with some public and private hospitals in Quito out of intensive care beds.
A 30-day state of emergency declared on Dec. 21 imposed a nighttime curfew, banned the sale of alcohol and restricted mobility for a period of 15 days, in a bid to discourage Christmas and New Year revelry.
The traditional burning of paper or cardboard dolls in public spaces to ring out the year, as well as the purchase of fireworks, are also prohibited.
The country plans to begin vaccination against COVID-19 in January 2021, starting with high-risk groups.
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