New daily record for virus deaths in Brazil

Families buried ir loved ones in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, as Brazil anunced its largest 24-hour increase in virus related deaths since outbreak began.

Among victims was Paulo José da Silva, a 57-year-old man who refused to believe in seriousness of pandemic."He didn't wear a mask. He did t take care of himself. He me fun a little bit, didn't believe it, wanted to shake everybody's hand," said Monique dos Santos, da Silva's stepdaughter.

Brazil reported on Thursday more than 34,000 deaths and almost 615,000 COVID-19 cases.It is country with third-highest number of deaths due to pandemic, trailing US and UK. Experts consider actual tally is much higher, but has been under-reported due to insufficient testing.

Even with a new record high, Rio de Janeiro, one of cities worst hit by COVID-19 in Brazil, slowly started to reopen earlier this week, more than two months after n-essential businesses were forced to shut down to limit spre of virus.For most people, new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

(Im Credit: AP)