Brazil records 42,223 new COVID-19 cases in single day, total tally surpasses 1.5 million

Brazil’s health ministry on July 3 reportedly said that country recorded nearly 42,223 coronavirus cases in past 24 hours, taking total tally to over 1.5 million. South American country is second-worst hit after United States. health ministry reportedly also anunced that number of COVID-19 death also rose by 1,290 and total toll w stands at 63,174. 

Even with soaring number of confirmed cases, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay pandemic. Several local epidemiologists and World Health Organisation have also expressed concern about Bolsonaro’s approach. Amid global criticism of President’s handling of COVID-10 pandemic, on July 3, Bolsonaro reportedly approved a law obliging use of face masks on streets and public transport, however, he reportedly vetoed clauses that would have required m in churches, schools, shops and factories. 

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According to an international media outlet, Brazilian President argued that forcing people to use face coverings in such places could violate property rights. He reportedly also vetoed an article that would have forced government to provide masks to vulnerable groups that would have required commercial establishments to provide masks to ir employees. With COVID-19 spreading across nation rapidly and health experts recently also warned of virus returning to major cities.

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‘Boomerang’ of cases will be ‘tsunami’ 

virus has been spreading mostly in larger cities, however, since late May it has been spreading faster in interior of country. According to reports, earlier this month, country also reported that 60 per cent of new cases were registered in smaller cities. Brazilian health ministry furr ted that deaths are also rising outside of major cities. 

As per reports, experts believe impact of a potential second wave of a new case in urban centres could furr complicate attempts to reopen businesses and revive hard-hit ecomy. While speaking to an international media outlet, Miguel Nicolelis, who is coordinating a coronavirus task force advising state governments of Brazil’s rast, said that ‘boomerang’ of cases that will return to capital of country will be ‘tsunami’. 

(Im: AP) 

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