Ecuador's health system nearly stretched to limit due to COVID-19: gov't

QUITO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's public health system is nearly stretched to the limit by the sustained rise in novel coronavirus infections, Health Minister Juan Carlos Zevallos said on Monday, as the country surpassed 221,500 cases and 9,600 deaths from the disease.

"We are reaching the limit," Zevallos said at a virtual press conference, adding "I am extremely concerned about the interior of the country," where COVID-19 cases are on the rise.