Bolsonaro insists on relaxing lockdown in Brazil

Despite the number of deaths from COVID-19 in Brazil passing 13,000, President Jair Bolsonaro insisted on Thursday on easing the restrictive measures to avoid a deeper economic crisis in the country.

Speaking to journalists and supporters outside the presidential residence of Alvorada Palace, Bolsonaro said he was sorry for the people dying because of the new coronavirus, but remarked more will die as a consequence of the economic crisis.

"We have to have the courage to face the virus. People are dying, they are! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But more will die, if the economy continues to be destroyed by those measures" he said.

The far-right president said he was open to talk with governors of the states and asked them to finish with what he called the "absurd" measures.

Brazil is the Latin American country most affected by the pandemic.

According to the Johns Hopkins University, the Brazilian government reported by Thursday 13,276 deaths and more than 192,000 confirmed cases, with the actual figure believed to be much higher because of limited testing.

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.