Numbers of the week: May 2, 2020

This is Brazil by the Numbers, a weekly digest of the most interesting figures tucked inside the latest news about Brazil. A selection of numbers that help explain what is going on in Brazil. This week’s topics: Covid-19 — confirmed cases and deaths. President Bolsonaro faces daily fines. Impeachment requests against the president. Unemployment figures. People unable to pay their bills. Undetermined deaths skyrocketing. Covid-19-related bills stuck in Congress. And more.

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91,589 confirmed infections, 6,329 deaths

According to the Health Ministry’s latest coronavirus update, Brazil has recorded 91,589 Covid-19 infections and 6,329 deaths. Both figures have exceeded the official numbers in China, where the outbreak originated, and Iran — leaving Brazil with the seventh-highest total in the world. 

While China has been accused of tampering with the numbers (authoritarian regimes do tend to conceal alarming data), Brazil’s real figures are also certainly significantly higher than the official count. Health Minister Nelson Teich himself has admitted that “the government is flying blind,” without any idea of the real number of infected Brazilians.

9 days for death count to double

On April 22, Brazil had recorded 2,906 Covid-19 deaths. It took a mere nine days for that count to double, reaching 6,329 on May 1. Still, President Bolsonaro’s response to the rising body count couldn’t have been more dismissive. “So what? I’m sorry. What do you want me to do?” he said on Tuesday evening, in front of the presidential palace. After realizing his words were being broadcast live, Mr. Bolsonaro tried to change his tone and express solidarity with the families of the Covid-19 victims.