Nearly half of the South American country’s population has received at least one vaccine dose, but on Friday, Chile recorded 7,626 new cases over a 24-hour period – the highest total at any point during the pandemic – and it is now approaching 1m cases in total.
More than 80% of the country’s 19 million inhabitants, including all residents of the capital, Santiago, have been put under a strict lockdown that prevents them leaving the house even to buy groceries or pharmacy supplies this weekend. During the week, each person is allowed two short-term permits to leave the house to buy essentials and can exercise outdoors between 7am and 8.30am. Only 169 intensive care beds remain available nationwide – an occupancy rate of more than 95%.