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A man wearing a face mask is seen in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 14, 2020. Mexico reported 5,860 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the national count to 1,003,253, the health ministry said on Saturday. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Mexico reported 5,860 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the national count to 1,003,253, the health ministry said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, 635 more deaths were reported, bringing the death toll to 98,259 in Mexico, which ranks fourth worldwide, following the United States, Brazil and India.

The Mexican authorities said the real number of infections is likely significantly higher than the reported confirmed cases.

The northern state of Durangoa and neighboring state Chihuahua have been put on the highest level of coronavirus alert in a bid to contain the recent spike in the north of the country, according to the health ministry.

Except the two northern states, most of Mexico's 32 regions are currently at the lower orange or yellow alert levels.

In an interview with Xinhua, Mexican epidemiologist Malaquias Lopez Cervantes called the situation in the country "serious," saying it is necessary to review the current health model in order to take measures, such as case tracking, to avoid further infections.

He also expressed his concern for the future, as a "period of resurgence" of cases in almost half of the country is predicted in the coming months.

"The important thing is to protect the Mexican population, a society worn out by prolonged confinement and, due to the ineffectiveness of the health model, will reach the end of this year, 2020, with more deaths," he added.

Lopez Cervantes said it is important for the government to focus on improving primary care, to guarantee access and coverage for COVID-19 and other problems that are affecting Mexicans.

Due to the pandemic, Mexico, the second largest economy in Latin America after Brazil, is facing a record economic decline of 9 percent for 2020, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Mexico registered its first case of COVID-19 on Feb. 28. Enditem

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A medical worker takes a swab sample from a man for COVID-19 test in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 14, 2020. Mexico reported 5,860 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the national count to 1,003,253, the health ministry said on Saturday. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

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