Brazil now has second highest COVID death total

Brazil's health ministry says country has recorded a total of 41,828 deaths during coronavirus pandemic, meaning it has surpassed United Kingdom and w has second-highest total in world, according to tallies by Johns Hopkins University.

Brazilian officials on Friday reported 909 deaths over previous 24 hours. It is hardest-hit nation in Latin America, with more than 828,000 confirmed virus cases.

news came as states and cities across Brazil start to ease restrictive measures introduced more than two months ago in hopes of limiting spre of coronavirus.

Shops and malls are being allowed to open for four hours a day in Sao Paulo, epicenter of Brazil's crisis. Stores have been crowded in smaller cities.