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Ecuador hospitals under pressure, on verge of collapse

Story and video from Al Jazeera

It was one of the first Latin American countries to report Covid-19 cases.

The country's economic engine, the port city of Guayaquil was the worst affected, with reports of bodies piling up on the streets.

But while the numbers of infections have come down there, it's the capital, Quito, where health services are on the verge of collapse.

One doctor says people are dying while waiting to be treated in a hospital.

【ギャラリー】The coronavirus ravages Latin America58

In the past month, the city has allowed some businesses to open up after a strict lockdown, and that's one of the reasons for an increase in new Covid-19 cases.

The city has installed street cameras using artificial intelligence to check if people are following social distancing.

Officials hope technology will help stem the tide of new cases.

These cameras track the distance between people out on the street and issue audio alerts toe warn people of health risks.

Human rights groups say the use of mass surveillance technology could violate privacy rights, but for now it's saving lives that takes priority.

Doctors in Quito say more testing is needed toe identify anyone who may have the virus or come into contact with an infected person.