Brazil could already have 1.6 million coronavirus infections

Funeral of Covid-19 victim in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Photocarioca/Shutterstock

A study carried out by Brazilian researchers concludes that the country’s coronavirus infections could be up to 15 times higher than the official count. Using official data from the Health Ministry, the Covid-19 Brazil Portal — created by researchers from several Brazilian universities — estimates that the real number of infections is somewhere between 1.6 and 2 million, instead of the confirmed figure of 114,715.

“Brazil is already the global epicenter of the coronavirus,” researcher Domingos Alves told The Wall Street Journal.

Amid the rise of infection numbers, state authorities and members of Congress believe that new Health Minister Nelson Teich is “lost.” They say Mr. Teich has been a decorative figure in the three weeks he has been in office. In Brasília, there is some suspicion behind the scenes that the Deputy Health Minister, Army General Eduardo Pazuello, is the one calling the shots.

Brenno Grillo

Brenno has worked as a journalist since 2012, specializing in coverage related to law and the justice system. He has worked for O Estado de S. Paulo, Portal Brasil, ConJur, and has experience in political campaigns.