QUITO, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno on Monday said he named Rommel Salazar to serve as the new director of the National Risk and Emergency Management Service, after its former head resigned earlier in the day due to allegations of corruption.

Alexandra Ocles is under investigation for his involvement in a possible kickback scheme that saw the agency buy food kits at inflated prices for distribution to households affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.

Prosecutors launched the investigation last week.

Ecuador on Sunday reported 2,127 deaths from the coronavirus as the number of confirmed infections reached 29,559.