Coronavirus In South America: Brazil Overtakes US In Daily Death Toll For First Time

Brazil on Monday surpassed the United States in the number of daily deaths over a 24-hour period from the coronavirus, the Brazilian Health Ministry reported. Brazil registered 807 deaths during the 24-hour time frame, while the U.S. daily death toll on Monday stood at 620.

Brazil currently has the second highest number of cases of the virus in the world, after the United States. As of 1:10 p.m. EDT Tuesday, there were 374,898 cases in Brazil, with the country’s death toll standing at 23,473.

President Trump announced travel restrictions on Brazil that took effect Sunday.

"I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to take action to restrict and suspend the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Federative Republic of Brazil during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States," the proclamation reads.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has frequently downplayed the virus, referring to it as a “little flu.” Bolsonaro has feuded with state governors imposing stay-at-home orders and fired popular Health Minister Luis Henrique Mandetta last month after disagreements over social distancing measures. Bolsonaro then replaced Mandetta with health consultant and entrepreneur Nelson Teich.

On May 15, Teich resigned from his position after Bolsonaro continued to push unproven antimalaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the virus. A recent study by The Lancet medical journal found that hydroxychloroquine can increase the death rate in patients afflicted by COVID-19.

Sao Paulo is Brazil’s most infected city, with hospitals overwhelmed by the virus. The coronavirus has disproportionately impacted Brazil’s indigenous population and low-income favela communities.

Brazilians have banged pots and pans in the evenings to protest Bolsonaro’s handling of the crisis. Bolsonaro has joined demonstrations in favor of easing lockdown measures and opening up Brazil’s economy.

The coronavirus likely originated at an animal and seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, and has since spread across the world. The virus has been declared a “pandemic” by the World Health Organization.