Brazil Ranks Second Worldwide in COVID-19 Cases and Deaths

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro held an emergency press conference regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) while wearing a mask in the capital, Brasilia, on the 18th of last month (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Brazil shows no signs of slowing down. Following the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, the death toll has also become the second largest in the world after the United States.

According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health on the 12th (local time), the number of COVID-19 deaths increased by 909 from the previous day to 41,828.

Based on data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Brazil's cumulative death toll surpassed that of the United Kingdom on this day, becoming the second largest in the world.

The death toll exceeded 10,000 on the 9th of last month, about 50 days after the first report on March 17, and rapidly increased to surpass 40,000 just over 30 days later, on the previous day.

The number of confirmed cases was also recorded at 828,810, an increase of 25,982 from the previous day. Brazil's cumulative confirmed cases are also the second largest after the United States.

Among the total confirmed cases, about 421,000 are currently undergoing treatment, and about 365,000 have recovered.

The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern over the increasing COVID-19 impact in Brazil. Michael Ryan, WHO Executive Director for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said, "We still trust Brazil's health system," but pointed out that "in some regions, the occupancy rate of intensive care unit beds in hospitals exceeds 90%, indicating a critical stage."

Earlier, Ryan identified Brazil as one of the countries with the fastest increase in COVID-19 patients and included it in the list of countries that have not yet reached the peak.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.