Santiago, Jan 10 (IANS): The Chilean Ministry of Health reported 4,361 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day spike since the peak of the pandemic in June 2020.

With the new figure, the country's overall infection tally surged to 637,742, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying on Saturday.

According to health authorities, another 63 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 17,037

"We are maintaining an increase in cases which worries us greatly and keeps us very attentive to two important things: the overload (of cases) that health services is receiving or will receive in a few days, and the situation of the ICU beds, which could be occupied in a few more days," Health Minister Enrique Paris told local media.

Undersecretary of Assistance Networks Alberto Dougnac said that the increase in cases has translated into an increase in the demand for beds in the country's intensive care units.

"In particular, the regions of Tarapaca and Atacama have had a significant increase. We have agreed with local authorities to increase ICU beds," he said.