Virus fears grow as Manaus lockdown eased

While Brazil pushes to reopen, there are serious concerns about the impact the coronavirus is having on indigenous Amazon communities. According to British broadcaster Sky News, there are fears in the community of Mipindiau that the lifting of lockdown restrictions in the nearest city of Manaus will cause a second wave for virus spread.

Far from medical facilities, a community centre in Mipindiau runs triage to separate patients suspected of having the virus from the rest. Inoculations of flu vaccine H1N1 are administered to the most vulnerable, to help to isolate those with the flu from those with COVID-19.

Figures from the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) show 28 deaths were registered and 308 indigenous people were infected by the disease as of May 11. According to the APIB, about 81,000 indigenous people from 230 territories are threatened by the new coronavirus.