Chile's coronavirus cases toll tops 300,000, surpassing Spain and UK

Chile's health ministry on Tuesday reported 2,462 more cases from the novel coronavirus, bringing the total to 300,000; overtaking Spain and the United Kingdom in infections. The Latin American country currently ranks #6 in the world for COVID-19 cases, behind Peru and Russia. Despite the number of cases, the country's Health Minister said the most recent figures pointed to a slight improvement in the pandemic.

Chilean authorities also announced that they are preparing a plan to gradually begin easing the quarantine. Up to now, the virus has seemingly exploded in Chile, prompting health officials to lock down the capital Santiago, the country's economic engine, and force nearly 10 million of its citizens into quarantine. Sor far Chile has reported 6,434 deaths due to COVID-19.