Brazil hits new daily COVID deaths record as crisis escalates

Brazil has once again recorded a single-day record for deaths linked to the novel coronavirus, as the head of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned that nearly all states across the country are seeing a rise in infections.

The Brazilian Health Ministry said on Wednesday that 2,286 people had died in the previous 24 hours – up from 1,972 deaths reported a day earlier.

More than 268,000 people have died in Brazil since the start of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University data – the second-highest death rate in the world after the United States.

The country also reported 79,876 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, increasing its total to more than 11.1 million infections.

During a news briefing, PAHO Director Carissa Etienne warned that “cases are on the rise in nearly every Brazilian state and over the last week, the country reported its second-highest rate of infections and its deadliest day since the pandemic began”.

She pointed to the state of Amazonas, which earlier this year experienced a shortage of oxygen and other supplies needed to treat COVID-19 patients amid a surge in infections and hospitalisations.

The state is also where a more easily transmissible variant of the virus was first discovered, increasing the spread of infection.

“We are concerned about the situation in Brazil. It provides a sober reminder of the threat of resurgence: areas hit hard by the virus in the past are still vulnerable to infection today,” said Etienne.

Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, a COVID-19 sceptic who has downplayed the threat of the virus and the need to enact public health restrictions, has faced mounting criticism for his government’s handling of the pandemic.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bolsonaro signed a bill to accelerate vaccine purchases, as the country has failed to administer many jabs due to delivery delays and inefficiencies.

“Let’s trust our government, trust the health ministry,” Bolsonaro said.

“This is an administration of seriousness and responsibility.”

Bolsonaro faced harsh criticism earlier in the day from former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who may be able to run again after a Brazilian Supreme Court judge annulled his corruption convictions earlier this week.

“Don’t follow any imbecile decisions by the president of the republic or the health minister: get vaccinated,” said Lula, who served as president between 2003 and 2011.

He has not confirmed whether he would run against Bolsonaro in polls next year, however.