Brazil set to pass 1.5 million Covid cases, cities reopen anyway

A women's movement activist wears a Brazilian flag on her head and a mask with a phrase written in Portuguese "Women Overthrow Bolsonaro," during a protest against the government's inefficiency in the face of the new coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing police brutality against blacks, in front of the National Congress, in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A women's movement activist wears a Brazilian flag on her head and a mask with a phrase written in Portuguese "Women Overthrow Bolsonaro," during a protest against the government's inefficiency in the face of the new coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing police brutality against blacks, in front of the National Congress, in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Published Jul 3, 2020

Share

Sao Paulo - Brazil was set to pass 1.5

million confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, as the virus

continues to ravage Latin America's largest country even as

cities reopen bars, restaurants and gyms sparking fears

infections will keep rising.

Brazil has the world's second largest outbreak after the

United States and the virus has killed over 60,000 people in the

country.

In Rio de Janeiro, crowds gathered to drink on the sidewalk

of an upscale beach-side neighborhood on Thursday night, the

first evening bars in the city were allowed to reopen.

Pictures of the revelry in Leblon, where few were wearing

face masks and people were huddled close together, went viral on

social media drawing condemnation and concern.

"A tragedy foretold," David Miranda, a federal congressman

for Rio, wrote on Twitter above a picture of the crowded

sidewalk. He criticized the city's mayor Marcelo Crivella.

"Crivella's decision to throw open the doors of business

will come with a high cost," he added.

Crivella's office did not immediately respond to a request

for comment.

In Rio alone, more than 6,600 people have died of Covid-19

in the past four months. Only 14 countries in the world have a

death toll higher than the city. Intensive care units in public

hospitals are at 70% capacity.

Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest and worst hit city, is expected

to open bars and restaurants next week.

President Jair Bolsonaro has been widely criticized by

health experts for downplaying the severity of the virus which

he has dismissed as just "a little flu." Bolsonaro has pressured

governors and mayors for months to reverse lockdown measures and

reopen the economy.

On Friday, Bolsonaro vetoed parts of a law that would have

made wearing a face mask obligatory in enclosed spaces where

large groups gather - such as churches and schools.

Bolsonaro has regularly flouted social distancing guidelines

advised by most health experts, shaking hands and embracing

supporters. He has said publicly that his past as an athlete

makes him immune to the worst symptoms of the virus.

Reuters

Related Topics:

coronavirus