VietJoy

Mexico City is launching a massive COVID-19 testing program as it aims to begin reopening the capital city's economy.

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced Wednesday that officials intend to conduct 100,000 tests a month by July, with the help of an aggressive information campaign.

Mexico City's approach is counter to that of President Andres Manuel López Obrador's administration, which dismissed mass testing as a waste of money.

Mexico federal Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell praised Mexico City's effort, but he made no mention of expanding federal coronavirus testing.

The mayor’s plan also promises to get more data on tracking potential infections.

Mexico City has the vast majority of COVID-19 cases in the country, with more than 32,000 infections and more than 3,200 deaths.

So far, Mexico is reporting more than 129,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 15,000 deaths.