Brazil Facing Third Major Wave Ahead of Gamma and Delta Spread

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Brazil is reportedly on the verge of a third wave of COVID-19 due to the spread of variant viruses.

AFP reported on the 7th (local time), "Experts warn that COVID-19 could resurge in Brazil as winter approaches," stating this.

Currently in Brazil, the so-called Brazil-origin variant virus Gamma and the India-origin variant virus Delta are spreading rapidly.

The problem is that the majority of the population is not aware of the risks of COVID-19. President Jair Bolsonaro is even rejecting expert advice related to COVID-19.

Brazilian infectious disease expert Jose Davi Urvez said, "Brazil has experienced an unprecedented health disaster, but most people are acting as if there is no pandemic."

Some experts say that the expression "third wave" in Brazil is inappropriate because the first and second waves have not yet subsided.

According to the international statistics site Our World in Data, as of the 5th, 23.1% of Brazilians have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Those fully vaccinated with two doses account for 10.8%.

Mauro Sanchez, a professor at Brasilia University, said, "If the speed of vaccination is slower than the side effects of easing social distancing, the third wave could deal a severe blow to the country."

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