Infections in Mexico have spiked 64 per cent in three weeks, according to health ministry data.

“You can definitely talk about a new rebound,” said Laurie Ximnez-Fyvie, a professor and molecular genetics investigator at National Autonomous University of Mexico (Unam).

The accelerated pace of the increase could lead to a “catastrophic” situation, she added.

Despite the spike in cases, however, deaths and hospitalisations have remained fairly low, according to a Reuters report.

The new cases are seen mostly in younger people, and for now, the highly contagious Delta variant has not spread widely in Mexico. With the majority elderly almost fully vaccinated, officials are cautiously optimistic the worst has passed.