Chile reports 3,779 new COVID-19 infections

SANTIAGO, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chile reported on Monday 3,779 COVID-19 cases and 85 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total caseload to 730,888 confirmed cases and 18,537 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

In its daily report, the ministry reported 25,589 active cases and 686,374 patients who have recovered.

The Chilean government has decreed quarantines in various locations in northern and southern Chile in light of a surge of infections, in addition to resuming the transfer of critical patients to hospitals in the capital Santiago.

This week, Chile will begin its national vaccination campaign against COVID-19 for 5 million people who are in high risk groups, followed by the general population in the second quarter of the year.