Brazil Adds Over 15,000 New COVID-19 Cases, Ranking Third In The World

With over 15,000 new cases of COVID-19 registered Monday, Brazil continues to be one of the hardest-hit countries by the virus.

The Latin American nation has registered over 4.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases, trailing behind the U.S. and India. The health ministry said Monday deaths rose by 381 to 131,625, second only to the U.S. who has recorded over 194,000 deaths.

Only recently did India surpass Brazil in confirmed coronavirus cases.

Despite being the third hardest-hit nation by COVID-19, Brazil is allowing tourists to travel to the country by air for stays of up to 90 days. Prior to boarding flights, foreign visitors must provide the airline company with proof of health insurance valid in Brazil for the entire duration of their trip.

President Jair Bolsonaro has drawn criticism throughout the pandemic for his response to COVID-19, often downplaying the virus by telling Brazilians that the risk is low and that businesses should stay open, citing the country’s economy as a top priority.

The right-wing leader has been issuing large cash payments to millions of the poor to help them survive the troubled economic state, which has contributed to an increase in his popularity. A recent poll says 37% of respondents approved of the Bolsonaro administration, a record number for the president over his 20 months in office.

“Bolsonaro’s popularity grew for two reasons: one was the emergency cash and the other is that he kept his mouth shut,” said Renato Meirelles, president of a research firm aimed at helping Brazil’s working classes. “In a very skillful and shrewd manner, Bolsonaro found a way to avoid taking any responsibility and incurring a political cost for the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.”