SANTIAGO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chile on Sunday registered 1,419 cases and 111 deaths of COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,599,879 infections and 34,514 deaths.

According to official data, the positivity rate for the disease fell to 2.59 percent at the national level for the last 24 hours, the lowest since the onset of the pandemic.

(Photo: Agencies)

Chile has witnessed a decline in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in recent weeks after the application of restrictive measures and the ongoing vaccination campaign.

The occupancy of intensive care unit beds has also fallen to 88 percent after the near collapse of the hospital system due to a wave of infections that began in March.

"This is good news for Chile, for those who have made an effort and for our officials. However, we must continue to use a mask, wash our hands, and practice physical distancing and ventilation." said Chilean Minister of Health Enrique Paris.

He also urged citizen to vote in Sunday's presidential primary elections while taking precautions against the virus. "This new election process is taking place in the midst of a pandemic, which, although we are currently in a slightly better situation than a few weeks ago, it is important that we continue to take care to avoid the risk of contagion from COVID-19," he said.