Brazil’s Health Ministry’s latest Covid-19 update showed that the coronavirus’ death toll in Brazil increased by 9 percent in the past 24 hours — reaching 1,223 people. In addition to the 99 new deaths, the country also registered 1,442 new infections, amounting to 22,169. The death curve in Brazil is similar to the one in the U.S. — the country with the most confirmed cases and deaths worldwide. The U.S., whose death toll has topped 20,000 people, had 1,697 confirmed deaths in the same period. The number of cases is still on the rise in the two countries.
Both countries’ leaders have gotten harsh criticism for their approach towards the outbreak. Presidents Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro have encouraged the usage of hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19 patients, despite the lack of scientific evidence that the anti-malaria drug is effective against the novel coronavirus. Brazil’s far-right president has repeatedly ignored his own health ministry’s social distancing recommendations, shaking hands with supporters and claiming that “no one will hinder [his] right to come and go.” During one outing, Mr. Bolsonaro shook an elderly lady’s hand just after wiping his nose with his wrist.
Experts have claimed the president could be actively leading the country towards a health calamity.
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