QUITO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's Public Health Ministry on Wednesday reported that the number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus rose to 4,450, and death toll from the disease increased to 242.

The ministry said it noted an exponential increase in the rate of infection, as 455 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours, and 22 more patients died, registering the highest numbers since the start of the outbreak in Ecuador on Feb. 29.

In a televised address, Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo released the latest figures, and called on citizens to comply with measures to contain the epidemic, especially staying at home.

Some 68.5 percent of Ecuador's total cases are concentrated in the southwest province of Guayas, home to the bustling port of Guayaquil.

Considered the epicenter of the outbreak in Ecuador, Guayas has 3,047 cases of infection and 144 deaths.

Another hard-hit province is north-central Pichincha, where the capital Quito is located, with 440 infections and 15 deaths.

The ministry has provided 15,526 tests so far. Enditem

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