MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico City, one of the world's largest cities and the epicentre of the country's novel coronavirus epidemic, will begin a gradual reopening June 1, its mayor said yesterday, even as daily new infections continue to set records.

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum called on the city's nine million residents to continue social distancing measures through June 15, but said some sectors of the economy would be allowed to resume operations at the start of June.

As of Tuesday night, Mexico City reported more than 15,000 confirmed coronavirus infections and nearly 1,500 deaths.

Sheinbaum has acknowledged that the real number of deaths in Mexico City is surely higher, but says an independent panel will have to review suspected cases and make a determination.

City death records reported by an anti-corruption watchdog group suggested the death toll could be three times as high in the capital.