Venezuela extends state of alert to combat virus

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced Tuesday a 30 days extension of the alert state declared on March 13 in the latest measure to curb the spread of coronavirus disease in the Caribbean country.

Maduro said Venezuelans will endure another month of a nationwide lockdown declaring the measure as necessary to protect the nation.

The President reported a new COVID-19 case, bringing to 423 the total number of reported cases of the novel coronavirus in Venezuela so far.

Officials say ten people have died since the first coronavirus cases were discovered in mid-March.

A political and social crisis grips the Caribbean nation of an estimated 25 million residents. Most residents don't have access to running water and regular electrical services.

Gasoline shortages have hit the capital of Caracas, despite Venezuela having the largest petroleum reserves.

Health workers warn that Venezuela's broken hospitals could easily be overwhelmed by the virus' spread.