More than 15,000 people have been killed by the novel coronavirus in Latin America and the Caribbean as of 0230 GMT Wednesday, according to an AFP tally based on official reports.

Members of the emergency medical service SAMU arrive with a patient suspected of being infected with the novel coronavirus COVID-19, at the hospital in Manaus, Brazil, on May 5, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

Across the region more than 282,000 COVID-19 cases have been officially reported.

Topping the death toll list is Brazil, with 7,921 fatalities and 114,715 cases; followed by Mexico with 2,271 fatalities and Ecuador with 1,569 deaths.

Experts believe that the pandemic will peak in Latin America in the coming days.