US doctor on frontline in Brazil's virus epicentre

A U.S. specialist in infectious diseases visited on Monday Sao Paulo's the Paraisópolis favela, one of the most extensive poor neighbourhoods in Brazil, which has been heavily affected by the pandemic.

Dr. Rajeev Fernando travelled to several cities affected by COVID-19 in Brazil, including Manaus, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

While he distributed masks and made connections hoping to assist locals in dealing with the pandemic, he is gathering information that could help health authorities bring the virus under control in the U.S.

Dr. Fernando met Jessica Fernandes, a Paraisópolis favela resident, who was infected by COVID-19 as well as her parents.

"COVID in my family was devastating. Three people were infected in my family; two are recovering; unfortunately, my mother didn't have the same chance, she died," said Fernandes whose family was one of the first cases inside the Paraisopolis favela.

Meanwhile, in Brasilia, President Bolsonaro attended the ceremony 'Brazil defeating the COVID-19' at Planalto Palace.

"If hydroxychloroquine wouldn't have been politicized many of these 115,000 lives that Brazil reached this moment could have been saved," said President Jair Bolsonaro.

According to government figures, the current number of coronavirus deaths in Brazil reached 115,309 with more than 3.5 million confirmed cases.

(Image Credit Pixabay)