SANTIAGO: Chile's health minister resigned on Saturday amid controversy over the country's official coronavirus death toll, as the pandemic hits the nation hard despite quarantine measures in the capital for more than a month.AdvertisementOn Saturday, however, a report revealed that Chile had informed the World Health Organization that the country's coronavirus death toll was actually more than 5,000.
Publication of the information followed a week in which criticism of Manalich intensified after the ministry changed the way it tallies COVID-19 deaths. Many epidemiologists said the changes made no sense.Deputy Health Minister Paula Daza said the higher figure is accurate and stems from the new and different tabulation methodology.
"The situation in our country continues to rise, above all in the metropolitan region," health ministry official Arturo Zuniga said Friday.