Brazil reported 3,251 deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, the first time it has exceeded 3,000 deaths in a single day, amid calls on the government and the new health minister to implement measures to reduce the recurrence of coronavirus infections. from the country.
In recent weeks, the largest nation in Latin America has become the global epicenter of the pandemic, with more daily deaths from the virus than any other country. Tuesday’s record was boosted by 1,021 deaths in Sao Paulo, the country’s most populous state. The previous state record was 713 deaths in a single day, reported in July last year.
The pandemic has brought state health systems to a brink of collapse, as hospitals see their beds in intensive care units fill up and oxygen reserves for assisted respiration dwindle. Most demarcations in the country have implemented measures in recent days to restrict activities, despite strong opposition from President Jair Bolsonaro.
In a four-minute speech broadcast on radio and television on Tuesday, Bolsonaro did not mention the new death record, but said Brazilians “will return to normal life very soon.”
“We will make 2021 the year of vaccinating Brazilians,” Bolsonaro said, as cacerolazo protests against his government erupted in the country’s major cities. “This is the mission and we will fulfill it.”
Bolsonaro frequently downplayed the severity of the pandemic, insisting that the economy must remain active to avoid further adversity, in addition to criticizing the health measures that local governments have implemented. On Friday, he filed an appeal with the Federal Supreme Court to invalidate the blocking heels imposed in two of the states and the federal district, although the court previously ruled that governors and mayors have the authority to order such restrictions.
Public health experts and economists have said that Bolsonaro has a false compromise between maintaining health or economic well-being.
On Tuesday, cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga was appointed Minister of Health, the fourth official to hold the post since the beginning of the health crisis. Queiroga replaced Army General Eduardo Pazuello.
Queiroga’s resignation was postponed for a week as he removed his stake in health care companies and the government sought a suitable position for Pazuello, according to Brazilian media reports.
Carlos Lula, chairman of the national council of secretaries of state, said in a statement that the coronavirus crisis has worsened due to delays in purchasing vaccines and the lack of a communication strategy on the importance of preventive measures. He asked the new minister to work with state and municipal governments.
“Today more than ever, the population needs national coordination to deal with COVID-19, with precise, science-based actions that guarantee the prevention of new infections, facilitate the timely diagnosis of sick people and provide assistance to all Brazilians.” said Lula said in a statement.
Seven of the country’s 26 states reported problems in providing sufficient oxygen, the health ministry told the Associated Press on Tuesday. The agency said it plans to send hundreds of medical oxygen cylinders in addition to installing gas plants.
Hundreds of Brazilian economists, including former finance ministers and former central bank presidents, have called on the Brazilian government in an open letter released Monday to speed up inoculations and tighten restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus, including possible blockages.
“This recession, as well as its harmful social consequences, were caused by the pandemic and will not be overcome until the pandemic is controlled by competent action by the federal government,” the letter said.
“The controversy surrounding the economic repercussions of social distancing reflects the false dilemma of saving lives compared to guaranteeing the existence of a vulnerable population,” he added.
Brazil is approaching 300,000 deaths caused by COVID-19, the second largest number in the world, behind only the United States, according to the number from Johns Hopkins University.