WHO chief warns that situation in Brazil will affect neighboring countries

“The health measures that Brazil will take will be aggressive, at the same time as it will progress in vaccination,” he said at a press conference. Head of WHO.

With 262,770 deaths due to covid-19 , the South American giant is the second country in the world hardest hit by the pandemic, exceeded only by the United States (520,563 dead), according to an AFP report based on official data.

The weekly average of deaths has exceeded 1,000 since January 20, for the first time since August 2020, and has exceeded 1,400 since Friday.

The rebound results, according to experts, from the lack of social distancing during the end-of-year celebrations and the crowds of the southern summer and the carnival, despite the fact that the latter were formally banned.

Some studies also point to the new variant of the Amazon coronavirus, called P.1, which is twice as contagious, already detected in 17 states and causing a global alarm.

Brazil’s daily COVID-19 toll could reach 3,000 people if serious measures are not taken to stop the spread of the virus, according to a presentation made at a meeting of the government crisis intervention team, two sources present told Reuters.

Rio de Janeiro has imposed restrictions on bars and restaurants since Friday and has banned commercial activities on the city’s famous beaches and the operation of nightclubs.

Meanwhile, the state of Sao Paulo, where 61,000 deaths have been recorded, will strengthen anti-vacuum measures from midnight on Saturday and only essential activities will be allowed.