Mexico registers 578 new cases of coronavirus, 60 new deaths

A passenger wears a protective mask, which was declared mandatory inside trains and subway stations, as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mexico City, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Mexican health officials reported on Friday 578 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 60 new deaths, bringing the country's total to 6,875 cases and 546 deaths.

Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said on Thursday the country might have nearly 56,000 people infected with the fast-spreading coronavirus.

Citing government models, Lopez-Gatell has said many who are infected likely did not have symptoms or were not diagnosed.

A passenger wears a protective mask, which was declared mandatory inside trains and subway stations, as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mexico City, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

(Reporting by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by Sandra Maler)

A paramedic, wearing protective suit and mask, transports a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Mexico City, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Luis Cortes

A security guard wears a protective mask, which was declared mandatory inside trains and subway stations, as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mexico City, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Policemen wearing protective face masks take part in a drill against looting at an abandoned supermarket, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

A policeman wearing a protective face mask takes part in a drill against looting at an abandoned supermarket, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

Passengers wear protective masks, which was declared mandatory inside trains and subway stations, as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mexico City, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

A passenger adjusts his protective mask, which was declared mandatory inside trains and subway stations, as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mexico City, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Passengers wear protective masks, which was declared mandatory inside trains and subway stations, as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mexico City, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Paramedics, wearing protective suit and mask, transport a man suspected of being infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Mexico City, Mexico April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Luis Cortes