SANTIAGO, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Chile's Ministry of Health on Tuesday reported 1,658 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 more deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the country's total to 31,721 with 335 deaths.
Of the new cases, 1,479 patients presented symptoms while 179 were asymptomatic, the ministry said.
The government predicted that the peak of the disease will be in May, and therefore quarantines have been expanded to include more than 30 areas, mainly in the capital.
The Ministry of Defense reported that the mandatory quarantines will be forced by members of the police and the military, and harsher penalties will be given to those who break health regulations.
In Chile, there is currently a nightly curfew. The nation's borders remain closed, classes have been suspended, and non-essential trade has been halted. Enditem
