Today: The health crisis reaches new highs and begins to damage Jair Bolsonaro’s image. And the Central Bank’s move to tame inflation.
“The worst health crisis in Brazilian history”
In a report published on Tuesday, flagship medical institution the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation warned that all indicators point to an “extremely critical pandemic situation all over the country.” The experts called the Covid-19 crisis “the single worst health crisis in Brazilian history.”
- Brazil recorded 2,841 new daily coronavirus deaths on March 17, obliterating the previous record of 2,286 reached one week prior. New records are likely to be set in the coming days and weeks, as the spread continues to gain speed.
- According to Imperial College London, Brazil’s transmission rate rose to 1.23, from 1.13 two weeks ago. Meaning that 100 infected people are expected to contaminate 123, who will then contaminate another 151, and so on.
- Many experts have come out in support of a nationwide lockdown — at least in state capitals — as the only way to prevent an even bigger catastrophe. But President Jair Bolsonaro remains opposed to such measures.
Why it matters. Experts say Brazil’s pandemic response has been a disaster. However, the country’s future Health Minister Marcelo...