MEXICO CITY, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Mexico reported 1,434 new COVID-19 cases and 117 more deaths during the last 24 hours, bringing the total in the country to 24,905 cases and 2,271 deaths, the country's health ministry said on Monday.

A staffer walks inside the General Hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus care in Mexico City on May 4, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

Hugo Lopez-Gatell, Mexico's deputy health minister, said last week that the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Mexico is expected on May 6 and there are 191 more suspected COVID-19 fatalities awaiting verification.

On April 16, the government announced it has extended a nationwide lockdown until May 30 to halt the spread of the disease. However, in cities with low rates of infection, stay-at-home orders could be lifted as early as May 17.