 "Argentina reports 416 more deaths from Covid-19, tally surpasses 77,000")
Argentina on Saturday surpassed 77,000 deaths from COVID-19, the Ministry of Health reported.
With 416 more deaths in the past day, the death toll reached 77,108 and another 29,841 new cases were also recorded, bringing the total caseload to 3,732,263.
A total of 366,688 people are in the active stage of the disease and 6,909 patients are currently hospitalized in intensive care units.
According to the Public Vaccination Monitor, since December 29, 12,063,160 doses of vaccine have been administered in the country.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Roberto Salvarezza said on Saturday that the country is going through "a crucial moment" of the pandemic.
Speaking to CNN radio, Salvarezza estimated that vaccinations for people at "higher risk" could be completed next month.
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"We could reach 12 million people vaccinated," said the official, predicting that 50 per cent of the population could be vaccinated by mid-2021.
By official order, Argentina is under strict lockdown until Sunday.