SANTIAGO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Chile's health authorities on Thursday announced a lockdown in Santiago Metropolitan Region during the weekends due to surging COVID-19 cases and higher intensive care unit occupancy.

　　A total of 14 municipalities will be in a total quarantine from Saturday, the Chilean Health Ministry said.

　　The authorities also banned public events and the operation of gyms and casinos, and announced the closure of restaurants and retail businesses during the nights, as well as a nighttime curfew.

　　As there were more COVID-19 cases in the country in recent weeks, we have decided to toughen the measures during this transition stage, Chile's Deputy Health Minister Paula Daza said.

　　Chile reported 5,566 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the national count to 873,512 with 21,362 deaths, according to the ministry's daily report.

　　COVID-19 cases have increased in Chile since the end of summer vacation in the southern hemisphere and the start of the school year this month.

　　The Chilean Congress approved the extension of these exceptional measures this week to contain the spread of the pandemic.