Brazil Records more than 25,000 Coronavirus Deaths

HAVANA TIMES – Brazil has recorded more than 25,000 deaths in connection with the novel coronavirus, health officials announced on Wednesday, reported dpa news.

Overnight, 1,086 people had died, bringing the death toll to 25,598 since the outbreak began.

According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Brazil has the sixth highest number of deaths globally.

The number of infections rose to 411,821, the second highest behind the United States.

Scientific studies have estimated the total number of infections in Brazil could be up to seven times higher than officially recorded.

President Jair Bolsonaro has spoken against restrictions on movement and is in favour of opening up the economy.

Bolsonaro has already dismissed two health ministers over disagreements on how to deal with the coronavirus.

Health Secretary Wanderson Oliveira submitted his resignation this week. In a letter published on Thursday, pandemic specialists wrote of unnecessary obstacles.

In the early stages of the pandemic, Brazil had recorded much lower infection rates than European countries. Cases continue to skyrocket, however.