Brazil Nears 40,000 New COVID-19 Cases... Ninth Minister Tests Positive

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Eun-mo] The number of new COVID-19 cases in Brazil has approached 40,000.

On the 18th (local time), according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the cumulative number of confirmed cases was recorded at 4,495,183, an increase of 39,797 from the previous day. New cases have remained in the 30,000 range for four consecutive days since the 15th. The cumulative death toll was recorded at 135,793, an increase of 858 from the previous day. However, the daily death toll has recently not exceeded 1,000.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Auvabaru Antonio, the Minister of Tourism, tested positive for COVID-19 on the same day and entered self-quarantine. Among the 23 cabinet-level ministers, he is the ninth to test positive for COVID-19 so far. The eight ministers who tested positive before Minister Auvabaru Antonio have all recovered.

Minister Auvabaru Antonio had lunch with President Jair Bolsonaro and Protestant leaders on the 16th, and also attended the inauguration ceremony of the Minister of Health on the same day, raising the possibility of additional positive cases emerging.

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