Brazilian Supreme Court has ordered a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro's comments linking COVID-19 vaccines to AIDS.

''People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are developing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) much faster than expected,'' he had said during a livestream on multiple social media platforms. After his misleading statement, both Facebook and YouTube temporarily suspended his account.

In response, the country's Supreme Court said he has ''used the modus operandi of mass dissemination schemes in social networks.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-your-luxury-handbags-and-wallets-are-killings-the-amazon-forests-433405">Also read |&nbsp;Your luxury handbags and wallets are killings the Amazon forests</a>

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, COVID-19 vaccines approved by health regulators are safe for most people, including those living with HIV, the virus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome known as AIDS.

Bolsonaro's popularity is at a low of 22 percent, weighed down by his controversial downplaying of Covid-19 and the stalled economic recovery from the pandemic, which has claimed more than 600,000 lives in Brazil.

A Senate investigative committee, known in Portuguese as a CPI, which found in October, had requested Brazilian Supreme Court to punish Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-314020">Also see |&nbsp;Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics</a>

''In order for judicial supervision to be carried out in an effective and comprehensive manner, it is indispensable that documents be presented showing the status of the investigation in question,'' said Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

The CPI has handed over its roughly 1,300-page report to the office of Brazil's prosecutor-general (PGR) Augusto Aras.

However, since Aras was appointed to his position by Bolsonaro himself, any significant action is not expected.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazilian Supreme Court has ordered a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro's comments linking COVID-19 vaccines to AIDS. ''People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are developing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) much faster than expected,'' he had said during a livestream on multiple social media platforms.

Brazilian Supreme Court has ordered a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro's comments linking COVID-19 vaccines to AIDS. ''People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are developing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) much faster than expected,'' he had said during a livestream on multiple social media platforms. After his misleading statement, both Facebook and YouTube temporarily suspended his account. In response, the country's Supreme Court said he has ''used the modus operandi of mass dissemination schemes in social networks.'' Also read | Your luxury handbags and wallets are killings the Amazon forests According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, COVID-19 vaccines approved by health regulators are safe for most people, including those living with HIV, the virus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome known as AIDS. Bolsonaro's popularity is at a low of 22 percent, weighed down by his controversial downplaying of Covid-19 and the stalled economic recovery from the pandemic, which has claimed more than 600,000 lives in Brazil. A Senate investigative committee, known in Portuguese as a CPI, which found in October, had requested Brazilian Supreme Court to punish Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity. Also see | Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics ''In order for judicial supervision to be carried out in an effective and comprehensive manner, it is indispensable that documents be presented showing the status of the investigation in question,'' said Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The CPI has handed over its roughly 1,300-page report to the office of Brazil's prosecutor-general (PGR) Augusto Aras. However, since Aras was appointed to his position by Bolsonaro himself, any significant action is not expected. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil's Supreme Court orders probe into Bolsonaro for spreading vaccine misinformation

A Senate probe in the mishandling of Brazil's coronavirus pandemic has suggested that President Jair Bolsonaro should be charged with homicide.

The report has called&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;"principally responsible for the government's errors committed during the COVID-19 pandemic."&nbsp;

Excerpts of the document that has 1078 pages were released by the Brazilian media and they point out at Bolsonaro's ''deliberate and conscious'' neglect and incompetence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-314020">Also see |&nbsp;Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics</a>

Bolsonaro missed early chances to acquire COVID-19 vaccines which delayed the country's inoculation process and claimed approximately 95,000 lives.

The document states that ''the mathematics of the situation was clear: the more infections, the more death. Without vaccines mortality would have been stratospheric, as it turned out to be.''

Criticising Bolsonaro's ''reckless and unfounded belief in the theory of herd immunity by natural infection and the existence of a treatment,'' the report says the president was aware of "a concrete risk of mass infection.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-positive-bolsonaro-heads-out-to-feed-birds-ride-motorbike-314204">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-positive Bolsonaro heads out to feed birds, ride motorbike</a>

''With this behavior, the federal government, which had a legal duty to act, agreed with the death of Brazilians,'' it added.

The report, prepared by opposition Senator Renan Calheiros, has been slammed by Bolsonaro was has called the probe as ''poltically motivated'' and called it a ''joke.''

The draft of the report, in the congressional probe, will be presented before the Senate next week.&nbsp;

The Senate commission can veto and alter the report. &nbsp;The chances of Bolsonaro facing a trial are slim as for it the charges need to be brought by Brazil's prosecutor general whom was appointed by Bolsonaro himself.

The report also alleges that Bolsonaro's sons Senator Flavio, federal deputy Eduardo and city councilman Carlos spread misinformation that incentivised "non-compliance with sanitary measures to contain the pandemic" and charges should be filed against them as well.&nbsp;

Public health experts had widely condemned Bolsonaro for frequently refusing to wear a mask, going on bike rides when he was tested positive and railing against lockdowns.

In total, the report recommends 13 criminal charges be brought against Bolsonaro including genocide against Brazil's indigenous population for actions that left their communities vulnerable to the virus.

At over 600,000 people, Brazil has the second-highest death toll worldwide due to COVID-19, behind only the United States. 
&nbsp;

A Senate probe in the mishandling of Brazil's coronavirus pandemic has suggested that President Jair Bolsonaro should be charged with homicide. The report has called Bolsonaro "principally responsible for the government's errors committed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Senate probe in the mishandling of Brazil's coronavirus pandemic has suggested that President Jair Bolsonaro should be charged with homicide. The report has called Bolsonaro "principally responsible for the government's errors committed during the COVID-19 pandemic." Excerpts of the document that has 1078 pages were released by the Brazilian media and they point out at Bolsonaro's ''deliberate and conscious'' neglect and incompetence. Also see | Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics Bolsonaro missed early chances to acquire COVID-19 vaccines which delayed the country's inoculation process and claimed approximately 95,000 lives. The document states that ''the mathematics of the situation was clear: the more infections, the more death. Without vaccines mortality would have been stratospheric, as it turned out to be.'' Criticising Bolsonaro's ''reckless and unfounded belief in the theory of herd immunity by natural infection and the existence of a treatment,'' the report says the president was aware of "a concrete risk of mass infection.'' Also read | COVID-positive Bolsonaro heads out to feed birds, ride motorbike ''With this behavior, the federal government, which had a legal duty to act, agreed with the death of Brazilians,'' it added. The report, prepared by opposition Senator Renan Calheiros, has been slammed by Bolsonaro was has called the probe as ''poltically motivated'' and called it a ''joke.'' The draft of the report, in the congressional probe, will be presented before the Senate next week. The Senate commission can veto and alter the report. The chances of Bolsonaro facing a trial are slim as for it the charges need to be brought by Brazil's prosecutor general whom was appointed by Bolsonaro himself. The report also alleges that Bolsonaro's sons Senator Flavio, federal deputy Eduardo and city councilman Carlos spread misinformation that incentivised "non-compliance with sanitary measures to contain the pandemic" and charges should be filed against them as well. Public health experts had widely condemned Bolsonaro for frequently refusing to wear a mask, going on bike rides when he was tested positive and railing against lockdowns. In total, the report recommends 13 criminal charges be brought against Bolsonaro including genocide against Brazil's indigenous population for actions that left their communities vulnerable to the virus. At over 600,000 people, Brazil has the second-highest death toll worldwide due to COVID-19, behind only the United States.

Senate report calls for homicide charge against Brazil President Bolsonaro over COVID-19 errors

Four months into a&nbsp;Covid-19 vaccination campaign marred by shortages and delays, hard-hit&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;is still struggling to find enough doses, as political and diplomatic blunders prolong its pandemic nightmare.

Around 33 million people -- 15 percent of the population -- have received at least one vaccine dose in&nbsp;Brazil, a proportion still too small to have a substantial impact on the virus' spread.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Following a death, Brazil suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine for pregnant women">Following a death, Brazil suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine for pregnant women</a>

Targeted by a Senate inquiry over its handling of the pandemic, President Jair Bolsonaro's government is facing criticism for failing to secure more vaccines, including its refusal of offers to purchase millions of doses and diplomatic tension with China that may be slowing the import of vaccine ingredients.

'We don't have enough doses right now to&nbsp;vaccinate&nbsp;as fast as we should,'&nbsp;said Margareth Dalcolmo, a pulmonologist and researcher at leading public health institute Fiocruz.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Faced with the possibility of impeachment, Brazil President calls COVID-19 a bio-weapon">Faced with the possibility of impeachment, Brazil President calls COVID-19 a bio-weapon</a>

"We ought to be vaccinating younger people already, especially given that younger demographic groups are currently driving transmission," she told AFP.

But first,&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;still has to&nbsp;vaccinate&nbsp;80 million people from high-priority groups, including the elderly, indigenous people and health workers.

Vaccine doses meanwhile continue to arrive in a trickle -- although the government maintains it will be able to&nbsp;vaccinate&nbsp;all adults by the end of the year.

Brazil&nbsp;has lost more lives to&nbsp;Covid-19 than any country except the United States -- &nbsp;more than 430,000 -- and has one of the highest death tolls per capita in the world.

Though the current wave has eased somewhat since April, the virus is still killing a staggeringly high number of people in the country -- nearly 2,000 a day.

Despite its huge size, the South American country is known for executing turbo-charged vaccination campaigns.

In 2010,&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;vaccinated more than 80 million people against H1N1 -- the swine flu virus -- in less than three months.

'We need to be vaccinating two million people a day,'&nbsp;said Dalcolmo.

As it stands,&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;has rarely managed more than one million&nbsp;Covid-19 shots a day.

'We've gotten better since the start of the year, but we're still a long way from where we need to be,'&nbsp;said Joao Viola, president of the Brazilian Immunological Society's scientific committee.

Brazil&nbsp;started out using two vaccines, Oxford/AstraZeneca's and Chinese-developed CoronaVac, both of which it has licenses to produce locally.

The drive got a boost last month with the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine. But only about two million of the 100 million doses&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;has ordered have been delivered so far.

All three shots require two doses.

Brazil&nbsp;could have secured more Pfizer doses faster, but Bolsonaro's government refused an offer last August to purchase more than 70 million of them.

The far-right president, who has persistently snubbed expert advice on handling the pandemic, joked that the vaccine could 'turn you into an alligator'&nbsp;-- only to change course months later and allow a deal with the US pharmaceutical giant.

"Worldwide demand for vaccines is very high, so those who were slow to sign deals are receiving their orders later," said Viola.

Bolsonaro, whose government often has strained relations with China, also refused to purchase CoronaVac, calling it the vaccine from 'that other country.'

But a political opponent, Joao Doria, governor of&nbsp;Brazil's most populous state, Sao Paulo, pursued a deal for CoronaVac anyway.

The vaccine now accounts for more than 70 percent of the doses administered in&nbsp;Brazil.

However, the public health center manufacturing it in&nbsp;Brazil, the Butantan Institute, announced Friday it would have to halt production because it had run out of the active ingredient, which has to be imported from China.

Brazil&nbsp;is due to start producing the active ingredient for CoronaVac itself, but only in September.

The Butantan Institute said 'diplomatic problems'&nbsp;could prevent it from delivering new doses in June.

Last week, Bolsonaro provoked China by saying it may have created the novel coronavirus in a lab to wage 'germ warfare.'

"There are 10,000 liters (of active ingredient for CoronaVac) ready, just waiting for the Chinese government to authorize shipment," said Doria.

'But every time someone here makes a disparaging remark about China, that clearly makes it more difficult.'

Four months into a Covid-19 vaccination campaign marred by shortages and delays, hard-hit Brazil is still struggling to find enough doses, as political and diplomatic blunders prolong its pandemic nightmare.

Four months into a Covid-19 vaccination campaign marred by shortages and delays, hard-hit Brazil is still struggling to find enough doses, as political and diplomatic blunders prolong its pandemic nightmare. Around 33 million people -- 15 percent of the population -- have received at least one vaccine dose in Brazil, a proportion still too small to have a substantial impact on the virus' spread. Also read: Following a death, Brazil suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine for pregnant women Targeted by a Senate inquiry over its handling of the pandemic, President Jair Bolsonaro's government is facing criticism for failing to secure more vaccines, including its refusal of offers to purchase millions of doses and diplomatic tension with China that may be slowing the import of vaccine ingredients. 'We don't have enough doses right now to vaccinate as fast as we should,' said Margareth Dalcolmo, a pulmonologist and researcher at leading public health institute Fiocruz. Also read: Faced with the possibility of impeachment, Brazil President calls COVID-19 a bio-weapon "We ought to be vaccinating younger people already, especially given that younger demographic groups are currently driving transmission," she told AFP. But first, Brazil still has to vaccinate 80 million people from high-priority groups, including the elderly, indigenous people and health workers. Vaccine doses meanwhile continue to arrive in a trickle -- although the government maintains it will be able to vaccinate all adults by the end of the year. Brazil has lost more lives to Covid-19 than any country except the United States -- more than 430,000 -- and has one of the highest death tolls per capita in the world. Though the current wave has eased somewhat since April, the virus is still killing a staggeringly high number of people in the country -- nearly 2,000 a day. Despite its huge size, the South American country is known for executing turbo-charged vaccination campaigns. In 2010, Brazil vaccinated more than 80 million people against H1N1 -- the swine flu virus -- in less than three months. 'We need to be vaccinating two million people a day,' said Dalcolmo. As it stands, Brazil has rarely managed more than one million Covid-19 shots a day. 'We've gotten better since the start of the year, but we're still a long way from where we need to be,' said Joao Viola, president of the Brazilian Immunological Society's scientific committee. Brazil started out using two vaccines, Oxford/AstraZeneca's and Chinese-developed CoronaVac, both of which it has licenses to produce locally. The drive got a boost last month with the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine. But only about two million of the 100 million doses Brazil has ordered have been delivered so far. All three shots require two doses. Brazil could have secured more Pfizer doses faster, but Bolsonaro's government refused an offer last August to purchase more than 70 million of them. The far-right president, who has persistently snubbed expert advice on handling the pandemic, joked that the vaccine could 'turn you into an alligator' -- only to change course months later and allow a deal with the US pharmaceutical giant. "Worldwide demand for vaccines is very high, so those who were slow to sign deals are receiving their orders later," said Viola. Bolsonaro, whose government often has strained relations with China, also refused to purchase CoronaVac, calling it the vaccine from 'that other country.' But a political opponent, Joao Doria, governor of Brazil's most populous state, Sao Paulo, pursued a deal for CoronaVac anyway. The vaccine now accounts for more than 70 percent of the doses administered in Brazil. However, the public health center manufacturing it in Brazil, the Butantan Institute, announced Friday it would have to halt production because it had run out of the active ingredient, which has to be imported from China. Brazil is due to start producing the active ingredient for CoronaVac itself, but only in September. The Butantan Institute said 'diplomatic problems' could prevent it from delivering new doses in June. Last week, Bolsonaro provoked China by saying it may have created the novel coronavirus in a lab to wage 'germ warfare.' "There are 10,000 liters (of active ingredient for CoronaVac) ready, just waiting for the Chinese government to authorize shipment," said Doria. 'But every time someone here makes a disparaging remark about China, that clearly makes it more difficult.'

Brazil struggles to vaccinate as Covid toll spirals

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus </a>crisis in Brazil is not seeming to end, and now reports are coming in from the country suggesting that many hospitals are running out of sedatives.&nbsp;

News agency Associated Press reported that several reports are coming to the fore saying medical professionals are being forced to intubate patients without the use of sedatives.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-govts-negligence-of-covid-19-causing-humanitarian-catastrophe-377985/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

For the unversed, intubation is a process in which a ventilator helps a patient to inhale oxygen when the body struggles to breathe on its own.&nbsp;

A doctor at the Albert Schweitzer municipal hospital said health workers diluted sedatives for days to increase the stock.&nbsp;

However, when they ran out of it, doctors and nurses started using neuromuscular blockers and tying patients to their beds, the doctor added.&nbsp;

"You relax the muscles and do the procedure easily, but we don’t have sedation," the doctor said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/brazil-investigates-reports-of-vaccines-being-exchanged-for-illegal-gold-377659">Brazil investigates reports of vaccines being exchanged for illegal gold</a> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;"Some try to talk, resist. They’re conscious."

Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have both raised concerns over the lack of sedatives, with Sao Paulo's Health Secretary saying the city's ability to nurse severe Covid-19 patients is on the brink of collapse.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said the country is engaging with Spain and other nations to get emergency drugs.&nbsp;

He added that hospitals were also struggling to get enough oxygen.

 
&nbsp;

The coronavirus crisis in Brazil is not seeming to end, and now reports are coming in from the country suggesting that many hospitals are running out of sedatives.

The coronavirus crisis in Brazil is not seeming to end, and now reports are coming in from the country suggesting that many hospitals are running out of sedatives. News agency Associated Press reported that several reports are coming to the fore saying medical professionals are being forced to intubate patients without the use of sedatives. Watch | For the unversed, intubation is a process in which a ventilator helps a patient to inhale oxygen when the body struggles to breathe on its own. A doctor at the Albert Schweitzer municipal hospital said health workers diluted sedatives for days to increase the stock. However, when they ran out of it, doctors and nurses started using neuromuscular blockers and tying patients to their beds, the doctor added. "You relax the muscles and do the procedure easily, but we don’t have sedation," the doctor said. Also read | Brazil investigates reports of vaccines being exchanged for illegal gold "Some try to talk, resist. They’re conscious." Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have both raised concerns over the lack of sedatives, with Sao Paulo's Health Secretary saying the city's ability to nurse severe Covid-19 patients is on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said the country is engaging with Spain and other nations to get emergency drugs. He added that hospitals were also struggling to get enough oxygen.

Patients tied to beds in Brazil as country runs out of sedatives: Reports

President&nbsp;Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro has said&nbsp;the end of the pandemic was in sight for Brazil, despite a worsening second wave of infections, with daily case numbers back to mid-August levels.

"We're at the tail end of the pandemic. Compared to other countries in the world, our government was the best, or one of the best, in handling it," the far-right president said on a visit to the southern city of Porto Alegre.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-314020">Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics</a>

Brazil has the world's second-deadliest outbreak of the novel coronavirus after the United States, with more than 178,000 deaths. The continent-sized country, with a population of 212 million, has registered 6.7 million confirmed cases.

The comment came in for criticism from his opponents in Brazil. The government's own figures lend little support to the president's assessment.

Brazil, which endured a brutal plateau of more than 1,000 Covid-19 deaths a day from June to August, had succeeded in bringing its average daily death toll down to about 300 last month. However, that number has again risen above 800 this week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalists-are-wimps-more-likely-to-die-of-coronavirus-says-brazils-bolsonaro-322872">Journalists are 'wimps'; more likely to die of coronavirus, says Brazil's Bolsonaro</a>

Intensive care units at public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro are meanwhile 100 percent full, and preparations for an eventual vaccination campaign have been caught up in a political battle between Bolsonaro and a likely adversary in the 2022 presidential race, Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria.

Bolsonaro has been at odds with health experts over how to respond to the pandemic.

He has downplayed the new coronavirus as a "little flu," condemned the "hysteria" around it, and pushed to use the drug hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19, despite a raft of studies showing it is ineffective.

Political tensions

Doses of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</a> made by China's Sinovac Biotech are rolling off a Brazilian production line, drawing interest around the country and across Latin America from governments struggling to procure costlier vaccines.

Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria said at a news conference on Thursday (December 10) that the state's biomedical centre, the Butantan Institute, aims to fill and finish 1 million doses per day on its production line for a vaccination campaign to start Jan. 25.

Doria said 11 Brazilian states have contacted Butantan seeking the doses of the vaccine, called CoronaVac, setting up a showdown with President&nbsp;Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro, who has said he refuses to buy the Chinese vaccine for a national immunization program.

At the same news conference, Butantan head Dimas Covas said several countries in the region, including Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay and Honduras are interested in buying the CoronaVac vaccine from Brazil. Butantan is in advanced talks with Argentina to the supply vaccine, he said.

Dimas said CoronaVac doses would cost $10.30 to Brazilian states and cities outside of Sao Paulo, a fraction of what U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies are charging for COVID-19 vaccines.

Butantan has begun to build a facility where it plans to produce the vaccine from scratch as of September 2021 instead of receiving it in bulk from China to fill and label vials.

Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello has said that vaccinations could begin in January. Pressure has been mounting, with state governors criticising the federal government as unprepared for a mass immunisation campaign and failing to secure a diverse enough supply of vaccines.

Pazuello repeated the ministry would buy any effective vaccines that are approved by health regulator Anvisa and reasonably priced, opening the door to a federal purchase of the Chinese vaccine.

President Jair Bolsonaro has said the end of the pandemic was in sight for Brazil, despite a worsening second wave of infections, with daily case numbers back to mid-August levels.

President Jair Bolsonaro has said the end of the pandemic was in sight for Brazil, despite a worsening second wave of infections, with daily case numbers back to mid-August levels. "We're at the tail end of the pandemic. Compared to other countries in the world, our government was the best, or one of the best, in handling it," the far-right president said on a visit to the southern city of Porto Alegre. Also see: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics Brazil has the world's second-deadliest outbreak of the novel coronavirus after the United States, with more than 178,000 deaths. The continent-sized country, with a population of 212 million, has registered 6.7 million confirmed cases. The comment came in for criticism from his opponents in Brazil. The government's own figures lend little support to the president's assessment. Brazil, which endured a brutal plateau of more than 1,000 Covid-19 deaths a day from June to August, had succeeded in bringing its average daily death toll down to about 300 last month. However, that number has again risen above 800 this week. Also read: Journalists are 'wimps'; more likely to die of coronavirus, says Brazil's Bolsonaro Intensive care units at public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro are meanwhile 100 percent full, and preparations for an eventual vaccination campaign have been caught up in a political battle between Bolsonaro and a likely adversary in the 2022 presidential race, Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria. Bolsonaro has been at odds with health experts over how to respond to the pandemic. He has downplayed the new coronavirus as a "little flu," condemned the "hysteria" around it, and pushed to use the drug hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19, despite a raft of studies showing it is ineffective. Political tensions Doses of a COVID-19 vaccine made by China's Sinovac Biotech are rolling off a Brazilian production line, drawing interest around the country and across Latin America from governments struggling to procure costlier vaccines. Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria said at a news conference on Thursday (December 10) that the state's biomedical centre, the Butantan Institute, aims to fill and finish 1 million doses per day on its production line for a vaccination campaign to start Jan. 25. Doria said 11 Brazilian states have contacted Butantan seeking the doses of the vaccine, called CoronaVac, setting up a showdown with President Jair Bolsonaro, who has said he refuses to buy the Chinese vaccine for a national immunization program. At the same news conference, Butantan head Dimas Covas said several countries in the region, including Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay and Honduras are interested in buying the CoronaVac vaccine from Brazil. Butantan is in advanced talks with Argentina to the supply vaccine, he said. Dimas said CoronaVac doses would cost $10.30 to Brazilian states and cities outside of Sao Paulo, a fraction of what U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies are charging for COVID-19 vaccines. Butantan has begun to build a facility where it plans to produce the vaccine from scratch as of September 2021 instead of receiving it in bulk from China to fill and label vials. Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello has said that vaccinations could begin in January. Pressure has been mounting, with state governors criticising the federal government as unprepared for a mass immunisation campaign and failing to secure a diverse enough supply of vaccines. Pazuello repeated the ministry would buy any effective vaccines that are approved by health regulator Anvisa and reasonably priced, opening the door to a federal purchase of the Chinese vaccine.

Jair Bolsonaro says 'tail end' of pandemic in sight for Brazil

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro sparked&nbsp;outrage and drew criticism over his homophobic outburst for telling Brazilians not to deal with Covid-19 like "a country of fags".

In his latest controversial statement, the&nbsp;far-right leader&nbsp;hit out at hysteria over the coronavirus pandemic, arguing that "all of us are going to die one day" and to "stop being a country of sissies".

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-314020">Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics</a>

"All anyone talks about these days is the pandemic. We need to stop that," said Bolsonaro during the speech, which was ostensibly on tourism.

"I regret the deaths. I really do. But we're all going to die someday. There's no use fleeing reality. We have to stop being a country of fags.... We have to face up to it and fight. I hate this faggot stuff."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazilian-mayor-asks-bolsonaro-to-resign-shut-up-and-stay-at-home-as-death-toll-mounts-300982">Brazilian mayor asks Bolsonaro to 'resign, shut up, and stay at home' as death toll mounts</a>

His comments triggered immediate outcry from critics.

"Between 'gunpowder' and 'fags,' we have more than 160,000 dead in the country," tweeted the speaker of the lower house of Congress, Rodrigo Maia.

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Entre pólvora, maricas e o risco à hiperinflação, temos mais de 160 mil mortos no país, uma economia frágil e um estado às escuras. Em nome da Câmara dos Deputados, reafirmo o nosso compromisso com a vacina, a independência dos órgãos reguladores e com a responsabilidade fiscal.
— Rodrigo Maia (@RodrigoMaia) <a href="https://twitter.com/RodrigoMaia/status/1326296648360800256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Our solidarity to all the friends and family of victims of Covid-19."

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E a todos os parentes e amigos de vítimas da covid-19 a nossa solidariedade.
— Rodrigo Maia (@RodrigoMaia) <a href="https://twitter.com/RodrigoMaia/status/1326296649958907907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Bolsonaro is a longstanding enemy of Brazil’s LGBTQ+ community and during three decades in politics has made no secret of his homophobia.

Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the virus comparing&nbsp;the new coronavirus to a "little flu" and asserted that Brazilians' immune systems were so strong they could swim in raw sewage and "not catch a thing."

Brazil&nbsp;reported 25,012 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, and 201 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The South American country has registered 5,700,044 cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 162,829, according to ministry data. It is the world's second most fatal outbreak after the United States.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro sparked outrage and drew criticism over his homophobic outburst for telling Brazilians not to deal with Covid-19 like "a country of fags".

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro sparked outrage and drew criticism over his homophobic outburst for telling Brazilians not to deal with Covid-19 like "a country of fags". In his latest controversial statement, the far-right leader hit out at hysteria over the coronavirus pandemic, arguing that "all of us are going to die one day" and to "stop being a country of sissies". Also see: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics "All anyone talks about these days is the pandemic. We need to stop that," said Bolsonaro during the speech, which was ostensibly on tourism. "I regret the deaths. I really do. But we're all going to die someday. There's no use fleeing reality. We have to stop being a country of fags.... We have to face up to it and fight. I hate this faggot stuff." Also read: Brazilian mayor asks Bolsonaro to 'resign, shut up, and stay at home' as death toll mounts His comments triggered immediate outcry from critics. "Between 'gunpowder' and 'fags,' we have more than 160,000 dead in the country," tweeted the speaker of the lower house of Congress, Rodrigo Maia. Entre pólvora, maricas e o risco à hiperinflação, temos mais de 160 mil mortos no país, uma economia frágil e um estado às escuras. Em nome da Câmara dos Deputados, reafirmo o nosso compromisso com a vacina, a independência dos órgãos reguladores e com a responsabilidade fiscal. — Rodrigo Maia (@RodrigoMaia) November 10, 2020 × "Our solidarity to all the friends and family of victims of Covid-19." E a todos os parentes e amigos de vítimas da covid-19 a nossa solidariedade. — Rodrigo Maia (@RodrigoMaia) November 10, 2020 × Bolsonaro is a longstanding enemy of Brazil’s LGBTQ+ community and during three decades in politics has made no secret of his homophobia. Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the virus comparing the new coronavirus to a "little flu" and asserted that Brazilians' immune systems were so strong they could swim in raw sewage and "not catch a thing." Brazil reported 25,012 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, and 201 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday. The South American country has registered 5,700,044 cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 162,829, according to ministry data. It is the world's second most fatal outbreak after the United States.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro sparks outrage over his homophobic statement

The eldest son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he's tested positive for coronavirus and is in isolation with no symptoms.

Senator Flavio&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;is the fourth member of President Jair Bolsonaro's direct family infected by&nbsp;coronavirus. The president, first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and Jair Renan Bolsonaro, another son, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalists-are-wimps-more-likely-to-die-of-coronavirus-says-brazils-bolsonaro-322872" hreflang="en">Journalists are 'wimps'; more likely to die of coronavirus, says Brazil's Bolsonaro</a>

The Brazilian president has downplayed the severity of the virus, arguing against restrictions on economic activity he claims will prove far more damaging than the disease.

His approach to the pandemic runs counter to most recommendations by health experts.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-314020">Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics</a>

Flavio Bolsonaro says he's being treated with azithromycin and chloroquine, an anti-malarial drug touted both by Brazil's president and by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, despite clinical trials that found it ineffective or even dangerous.

Several members of Bolsonaro's staff have tested positive, among them eight Cabinet members.

Brazil has 3.6 million confirmed cases and more than 115,000 deaths, second in the world only to the United States.

The eldest son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he's tested positive for coronavirus and is in isolation with no symptoms. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro is the fourth member of President Jair Bolsonaro's direct family infected by coronavirus.

The eldest son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he's tested positive for coronavirus and is in isolation with no symptoms. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro is the fourth member of President Jair Bolsonaro's direct family infected by coronavirus. The president, first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and Jair Renan Bolsonaro, another son, have tested positive for the coronavirus. Also read: Journalists are 'wimps'; more likely to die of coronavirus, says Brazil's Bolsonaro The Brazilian president has downplayed the severity of the virus, arguing against restrictions on economic activity he claims will prove far more damaging than the disease. His approach to the pandemic runs counter to most recommendations by health experts. Also see: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics Flavio Bolsonaro says he's being treated with azithromycin and chloroquine, an anti-malarial drug touted both by Brazil's president and by US President Donald Trump, despite clinical trials that found it ineffective or even dangerous. Several members of Bolsonaro's staff have tested positive, among them eight Cabinet members. Brazil has 3.6 million confirmed cases and more than 115,000 deaths, second in the world only to the United States.

Eldest son of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continued his attack on journalists during a public event on Monday, describing reporters as "wimps" and saying they have a heightened chance of dying of COVID-19 because they are not athletic.

The right-wing leader has long had a fractious relationship with the media, frequently singling out specific newspapers and journalists for his ire. His followers have also attacked journalists at rallies and other public events.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-president-bolsonaro-threatens-to-punch-reporter-in-the-mouth-322626">Brazil President Bolsonaro threatens to punch reporter in the mouth</a>

On Sunday, Bolsonaro told a reporter, "I want to punch you in the face," after the reporter asked about thousands of dollars that were transferred into a bank account of the president's wife by a former aide who is now the target of a corruption probe.

During the Monday event, titled "Defeating COVID-19," Bolsonaro described his own experience battling the virus in July, crediting his use of unproven drug hydroxychloroquine and his self-described history as an athlete for his mild symptoms. He has previously said he believed his athletic past made him immune to the worst of the coronavirus.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-314020">Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics</a>

"That history of an athlete, the press feasted on it, but when (COVID-19) gets one of you wimps, your chance of surviving is quite a bit lower," Bolsonaro told reporters on Monday, using the Portuguese colloquial word 'bundao'.

"You only know how to do evil, to use a pen largely for evil. Your chance of surviving is quite a bit lower."

Earlier this month, local media reported that the aide, Fabricio Queiroz, deposited $12,900&nbsp;in checks into Michelle Bolsonaro's account between 2011 and 2018.

Queiroz was an aide to now Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the president's eldest son, when he was a Rio de Janeiro state legislator. The former aide has been arrested in an investigation into bank deposits made at the time, amounting to $2,13,835.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continued his attack on journalists during a public event on Monday, describing reporters as "wimps" and saying they have a heightened chance of dying of COVID-19 because they are not athletic.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continued his attack on journalists during a public event on Monday, describing reporters as "wimps" and saying they have a heightened chance of dying of COVID-19 because they are not athletic. The right-wing leader has long had a fractious relationship with the media, frequently singling out specific newspapers and journalists for his ire. His followers have also attacked journalists at rallies and other public events. Also read: Brazil President Bolsonaro threatens to punch reporter in the mouth On Sunday, Bolsonaro told a reporter, "I want to punch you in the face," after the reporter asked about thousands of dollars that were transferred into a bank account of the president's wife by a former aide who is now the target of a corruption probe. During the Monday event, titled "Defeating COVID-19," Bolsonaro described his own experience battling the virus in July, crediting his use of unproven drug hydroxychloroquine and his self-described history as an athlete for his mild symptoms. He has previously said he believed his athletic past made him immune to the worst of the coronavirus. Also see: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics "That history of an athlete, the press feasted on it, but when (COVID-19) gets one of you wimps, your chance of surviving is quite a bit lower," Bolsonaro told reporters on Monday, using the Portuguese colloquial word 'bundao'. "You only know how to do evil, to use a pen largely for evil. Your chance of surviving is quite a bit lower." Earlier this month, local media reported that the aide, Fabricio Queiroz, deposited $12,900 in checks into Michelle Bolsonaro's account between 2011 and 2018. Queiroz was an aide to now Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the president's eldest son, when he was a Rio de Janeiro state legislator. The former aide has been arrested in an investigation into bank deposits made at the time, amounting to $2,13,835.

Journalists are 'wimps'; more likely to die of coronavirus, says Brazil's Bolsonaro

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ventured out of his official residence on Friday to feed the birds and ride motorbike as he recovers from coronavirus.

Bolsonaro was seen stepping out onto the grounds of Alvorada Palace and threw feed to the Greater Rhea birds that wander around the property despite getting bitten by an emu-like bird a few days ago.

After sunset, Bolsonaro was captured riding on his motorbike on the Palace grounds.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazilian-president-bolsonaro-bitten-by-emu-like-birds-during-unbearable-quarantine-313630">Brazilian President Bolsonaro bitten by emu-like birds during 'unbearable' quarantine</a>

Since the beginning of the crisis, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has dismissed the seriousness of the epidemic and criticised containment measures ordered by governors in Brazilian states.&nbsp;

The far-right leader has himself tested positive twice for COVID-19 and is currently in quarantine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-amid-pandemic-314020">Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics amid pandemic</a>

Bolsonaro has said he was "doing very well" after contracting the coronavirus, and credited an unproven drug for his mild symptoms.

The new coronavirus outbreak in hard-hit&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;has plateaued, the World Health Organization said Friday, urging the country to seize the opportunity to drive down transmission.

With more than 2 million confirmed cases, Brazil has the worst coronavirus outbreak outside the United States. The virus has killed over 77,000 people in Latin America's largest country.

Bolsonaro is also under immense pressure to protect Amazon after&nbsp;Ireland and France threatened to scupper a trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur, of which&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;is a member, unless Bolsonaro acted to protect what French President Emmanuel Macron described as a "common interest."

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ventured out of his official residence on Friday to feed the birds and ride motorbike as he recovers from coronavirus. Bolsonaro was seen stepping out onto the grounds of Alvorada Palace and threw feed to the Greater Rhea birds that wander around the property despite getting bitten by an emu-like bird a few days ago.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ventured out of his official residence on Friday to feed the birds and ride motorbike as he recovers from coronavirus. Bolsonaro was seen stepping out onto the grounds of Alvorada Palace and threw feed to the Greater Rhea birds that wander around the property despite getting bitten by an emu-like bird a few days ago. After sunset, Bolsonaro was captured riding on his motorbike on the Palace grounds. Also read: Brazilian President Bolsonaro bitten by emu-like birds during 'unbearable' quarantine Since the beginning of the crisis, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has dismissed the seriousness of the epidemic and criticised containment measures ordered by governors in Brazilian states. The far-right leader has himself tested positive twice for COVID-19 and is currently in quarantine. Also read: Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics amid pandemic Bolsonaro has said he was "doing very well" after contracting the coronavirus, and credited an unproven drug for his mild symptoms. The new coronavirus outbreak in hard-hit Brazil has plateaued, the World Health Organization said Friday, urging the country to seize the opportunity to drive down transmission. With more than 2 million confirmed cases, Brazil has the worst coronavirus outbreak outside the United States. The virus has killed over 77,000 people in Latin America's largest country. Bolsonaro is also under immense pressure to protect Amazon after Ireland and France threatened to scupper a trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur, of which Brazil is a member, unless Bolsonaro acted to protect what French President Emmanuel Macron described as a "common interest."

COVID-positive Bolsonaro heads out to feed birds, ride motorbike

Brazilian President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;ventured out of his official residence on Monday&nbsp;to feed birds while he is recovering&nbsp;from coronavirus.

He was seen stepping out onto the grounds of Alvorada Palace and threw feed to the Greater Rhea birds that wander around the property. The birds are South America's large flightless bird.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-president-says-death-was-everyones-destiny-as-country-registers-1349-deaths-305715">Brazil president says death was 'everyone's destiny' as country registers 1,349 deaths</a>

Bolsonaro, who has been in quarantine nearly a week after testing positive for the new coronavirus, announced Monday he plans to take another test as he "can't stand" being in isolation.Bolsonaro&nbsp;has said he was "doing very well" after contracting the coronavirus, and credited an unproven drug for his mild symptoms.

The result of the test, which is scheduled for Tuesday, "should be out in a few hours, and I will wait quite anxiously because I can't stand this routine of staying at home. It's horrible,"&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;said in an interview.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazilian-president-bolsonaro-rides-jet-ski-amid-coronavirus-chaos-in-the-country-netizens-lash-out-297889">Brazilian President Bolsonaro rides jet ski amid coronavirus chaos in the country, netizens lash out</a>

The diagnosis looks to have done little to alter the 65-year-old former army captain's view of the illness, which he has dismissed in the past as just "a little flu". But since his quarantine in the Alvorada Palace, he has warned the elderly to protect themselves from the virus.

Bolsonaro's handling of the crisis has drawn criticism from public health experts as he fought state and city efforts to impose social distancing, arguing that the economic damage would be worse than the disease itself.

With more than 1.8 million confirmed cases, Brazil has the worst coronavirus outbreak outside the United States. The virus has killed over 72,000 people in Latin America's largest country.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ventured out of his official residence on Monday to feed birds while he is recovering from coronavirus. He was seen stepping out onto the grounds of Alvorada Palace and threw feed to the Greater Rhea birds that wander around the property.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ventured out of his official residence on Monday to feed birds while he is recovering from coronavirus. He was seen stepping out onto the grounds of Alvorada Palace and threw feed to the Greater Rhea birds that wander around the property. The birds are South America's large flightless bird. Also read: Brazil president says death was 'everyone's destiny' as country registers 1,349 deaths Bolsonaro, who has been in quarantine nearly a week after testing positive for the new coronavirus, announced Monday he plans to take another test as he "can't stand" being in isolation.Bolsonaro has said he was "doing very well" after contracting the coronavirus, and credited an unproven drug for his mild symptoms. The result of the test, which is scheduled for Tuesday, "should be out in a few hours, and I will wait quite anxiously because I can't stand this routine of staying at home. It's horrible," Bolsonaro said in an interview. Also read: Brazilian President Bolsonaro rides jet ski amid coronavirus chaos in the country, netizens lash out The diagnosis looks to have done little to alter the 65-year-old former army captain's view of the illness, which he has dismissed in the past as just "a little flu". But since his quarantine in the Alvorada Palace, he has warned the elderly to protect themselves from the virus. Bolsonaro's handling of the crisis has drawn criticism from public health experts as he fought state and city efforts to impose social distancing, arguing that the economic damage would be worse than the disease itself. With more than 1.8 million confirmed cases, Brazil has the worst coronavirus outbreak outside the United States. The virus has killed over 72,000 people in Latin America's largest country.

Brazil President Bolsonaro ventures out to feed birds during COVID-19 recovery

Days after an official health website went offline, the Brazilian government on Sunday published contradictory figures on coronavirus, thereby creating further doubts on government trying to hide data.&nbsp;

The data released by health ministry on Sunday on the number of cases and the death toll in Brazil contradicted by the figures uploaded on the ministry's online data portal.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-7-million-cases-globally-brazil-and-india-continue-to-report-daily-surge-304112">Coronavirus: 7 million cases globally, Brazil and India continue to report daily surge</a>

One set of data claimed 1,382 new deaths and 12,581 new infections in the last 24 hours, while the other set said, 525 deaths and 18,912 infections. Both figures were released at different times and government didn't clarify till half a day, which was correct.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-takes-down-covid-19-data-lowers-total-cases-and-">Brazil takes down COVID-19 data; lowers total cases and increasing death toll</a>

On Monday, the ministry confirmed that the data with 525 deaths is the correct one.&nbsp;

Critics claim that recent events raise doubts on Jair Bolsonaro's government trying to manipulate data to avoid criticism and panic.&nbsp;

The unusual steps taken by the health ministry on COVID-19 data began first on Wednesday, the day when it published the figures nearly two and a half hours later, just before 10:00 pm&nbsp;

On Friday, the ministry stopped updating the total number of deaths and cases, issuing only the numbers of the past 24 hours.&nbsp;

On the same day, a health ministry's site went offline and started working on Saturday, without providing the total coronavirus numbers, as well as patients who are under investigation and those who have recovered.&nbsp;

Brazil is the latest epicentre of the coronavirus and has the second-highest caseload, after the US with 691,758 infections.&nbsp;

As many as 36,455 deaths people have also died in Brazil, the third-highest in the world, after the US and the UK.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Days after an official health website went offline, the Brazilian government on Sunday published contradictory figures on coronavirus, thereby creating further doubts on government trying to hide data.

Days after an official health website went offline, the Brazilian government on Sunday published contradictory figures on coronavirus, thereby creating further doubts on government trying to hide data. The data released by health ministry on Sunday on the number of cases and the death toll in Brazil contradicted by the figures uploaded on the ministry's online data portal. Also read | Coronavirus: 7 million cases globally, Brazil and India continue to report daily surge One set of data claimed 1,382 new deaths and 12,581 new infections in the last 24 hours, while the other set said, 525 deaths and 18,912 infections. Both figures were released at different times and government didn't clarify till half a day, which was correct. Also read | Brazil takes down COVID-19 data; lowers total cases and increasing death toll On Monday, the ministry confirmed that the data with 525 deaths is the correct one. Critics claim that recent events raise doubts on Jair Bolsonaro's government trying to manipulate data to avoid criticism and panic. The unusual steps taken by the health ministry on COVID-19 data began first on Wednesday, the day when it published the figures nearly two and a half hours later, just before 10:00 pm On Friday, the ministry stopped updating the total number of deaths and cases, issuing only the numbers of the past 24 hours. On the same day, a health ministry's site went offline and started working on Saturday, without providing the total coronavirus numbers, as well as patients who are under investigation and those who have recovered. Brazil is the latest epicentre of the coronavirus and has the second-highest caseload, after the US with 691,758 infections. As many as 36,455 deaths people have also died in Brazil, the third-highest in the world, after the US and the UK.

Doubts over coronavirus figures spiral in Brazil after ministry published contradictory data

Brazil yet again reported a record coronavirus deaths with 1,349 fatalities in a 24-hour period on Wednesday, the health ministry said.&nbsp;

With the latest updates, the country's death toll jumped to 32,548, with 584,016 confirmed cases, the second-highest worldwide, as the deadly virus continues to raise concerns in this Latin American nation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-helicopter-to-horseback-brazilian-president-bolsonaro-breaks-covid-19-protocol-to-join-protesters-302283">From helicopter to horseback, Brazilian President Bolsonaro breaks COVID 19 protocol to join protesters</a>

Experts fear under-testing in Brazil could mean that real numbers are probably much higher.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fourth-most-covid-19-deaths-in-brazil-maskless-bolsonaro-still-undermines-pandemic-302961/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-records-33274-new-coronavirus-cases-surpasses-france-in-deaths-302080">Brazil records 33,274 new coronavirus cases, surpasses France in deaths</a>

The surge in recent days comes at a time when several Brazilian states have started to open up the economy, thereby ignoring the warnings by epidemiologists and WHO.&nbsp;

The World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office on Tuesday warned against reopening "too quickly", saying it invites the "risk of a resurgence of COVID-19".

On Tuesday, Sao Paulo reported its highest coronavirus deaths, both the number of infections and deaths, on the day when its cities began reopening shopping malls and offices.&nbsp;

Rio de Janeiro, the worst-hit state, started reopening beaches and businesses on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has also faced a lot of criticism for first undermining the severity of the pandemic and speaking against the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

The health ministry said on Tuesday that it's impossible to find out when the "peak of deaths will occur" because of the country's size and geographic diversity.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

Brazil yet again reported a record coronavirus deaths with 1,349 fatalities in a 24-hour period on Wednesday, the health ministry said. With the latest updates, the country's death toll jumped to 32,548, with 584,016 confirmed cases, the second-highest worldwide, as the deadly virus continues to raise concerns in this Latin American nation.

Brazil yet again reported a record coronavirus deaths with 1,349 fatalities in a 24-hour period on Wednesday, the health ministry said. With the latest updates, the country's death toll jumped to 32,548, with 584,016 confirmed cases, the second-highest worldwide, as the deadly virus continues to raise concerns in this Latin American nation. Also read | From helicopter to horseback, Brazilian President Bolsonaro breaks COVID 19 protocol to join protesters Experts fear under-testing in Brazil could mean that real numbers are probably much higher. Watch | Also read | Brazil records 33,274 new coronavirus cases, surpasses France in deaths The surge in recent days comes at a time when several Brazilian states have started to open up the economy, thereby ignoring the warnings by epidemiologists and WHO. The World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office on Tuesday warned against reopening "too quickly", saying it invites the "risk of a resurgence of COVID-19". On Tuesday, Sao Paulo reported its highest coronavirus deaths, both the number of infections and deaths, on the day when its cities began reopening shopping malls and offices. Rio de Janeiro, the worst-hit state, started reopening beaches and businesses on Tuesday. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has also faced a lot of criticism for first undermining the severity of the pandemic and speaking against the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the virus. The health ministry said on Tuesday that it's impossible to find out when the "peak of deaths will occur" because of the country's size and geographic diversity. (With inputs from AFP)

Brazil yet again reports record number of coronavirus deaths