More than 20,000 COVID-19 cases in Latin America

More than 20,000 cases of COVID-19 were registered in Latin America and the Caribbean by Wednesday, according to an AFP tally using information provided by national health authorities and the World Health Organization.

Authorities had registered 537 deaths and 20,081 cases across the region by 1630 GMT—double the figure from just five days ago.

Latin America's first case was registered in Brazil on February 26. The South American giant, with a population of 210 million, is now the most affected country with 5,717 cases including 201 deaths.

Ecuador is the second hardest hit with 2,748 and 93 deaths, followed by the Dominican Republic with 1,284 and 57 deaths.

Mandatory containment measures have been put in place in many countries, with strict lockdowns in place in Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, El Salvador and Panama. Borders are shut in almost the entire region.