Explaining Brazil #135: Has Brazil’s second wave already begun?

A group of Brazilian researchers from five different institutions signed an open letter this week to warn citizens and politicians about the dangers of a second wave of coronavirus infections in the country. 

And there is plenty of data corroborating their fears.

Early in November, the coronavirus transmission rate measured by Imperial College London sat at its lowest level since the pandemic took hold. By November 24, the rate reached its highest point since May — 1.31. Meaning every 10 people would infect 13, who would then infect another 17 and so on, with the spread gaining steam.

Some experts aren’t even talking about a second wave, but a tsunami. When infection numbers were low, Brazil didn’t capitalize and the population returned to normal almost instantly.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast from your mobile device:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Deezer

Background reading:

• Don’t miss our Covid-19 Live Blog.
• Listen to episode #122, in which we explain how Latin America went on to become the world’s epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus sparked a job crisis that will take years to solve, according to a recent international report.
• Which approach to the Covid-19 crisis causes the least damage — and costs the fewest lives? We discussed that in Episode #109.
• How Brazil’s economy can bounce back after the pandemic, according to reporter Rafael Lima. Hint: it won’t be easy.
• Coronavirus aid sees Brazil’s poverty rates fall to their lowest level since 2004, but the program is inching closer to its end. And Jair Bolsonaro’s approval ratings are already feeling the effects.
• Brazil reportedly has 6.8 million Covid-19 tests set to expire, writes Euan Marshall.

Do you have a suggestion for our next Explaining Brazil podcast? Drop us a line at podcast@brazilian.report

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

• #bigData
• #outbreak
• #podcast
• #sãoPaulo
• #socialIsolation