Brazil's incoming health minister vowed Wednesday to implement science-based policies against COVID-19 and said he may make "adjustments" to far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's widely criticized management of the pandemic.

Bolsonaro, who has defied expert advice on handling the new coronavirus, is facing pressure to contain an explosion of cases that is pushing&nbsp;Brazil's hospitals to the brink and threatening his own chances at re-election next year.

In a change of course, the president named respected cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga as his new health minister Monday, replacing Eduardo Pazuello, an army general with no prior medical experience.

Queiroga, who will be Bolsonaro's fourth health minister of the crisis, hinted at a policy rethink in the administration.

"We plan to reduce the number of deaths with two main points: social distancing policies to reduce the spread of the virus, and expanding our hospitals' capacity," he told a news conference, speaking alongside the outgoing minister.

Brazil&nbsp;is currently going through its worst weeks of the pandemic.

It registered a new 24-hour record of 2,841 deaths Tuesday, bringing the number of people killed by COVID-19 in the country to more than 282,000 -- second only to the United States.

Queiroga, 55, called for "unity" among Brazilians, who are deeply divided over Bolsonaro's attacks on stay-at-home measures, face masks and vaccines.

The new minister said the president had promised him "autonomy" on pandemic policy.

"We will make the necessary adjustments when the time is right," he said, speaking at the ceremonial delivery of 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

"We believe in research, in science."

Bolsonaro has seen his disapproval ratings rise as the pandemic continues to hammer the country of 212 million people.

A new poll from Datafolha found 54 percent of Brazilians consider his handling of the pandemic bad or terrible, while 56 percent said he was not fit to lead the country -- up six points from January.

The director of the Pan American Health Organization, Carissa Etienne, called the recent surge in cases and deaths in&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;troubling.

"The situation in&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;is a cautionary tale that keeping this virus under control requires continuous attention by public health authorities and leaders to protect people and health systems alike from the devastating impact of this virus," she said.

Brazil's incoming health minister vowed Wednesday to implement science-based policies against COVID-19 and said he may make "adjustments" to far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's widely criticized management of the pandemic.

Brazil's incoming health minister vowed Wednesday to implement science-based policies against COVID-19 and said he may make "adjustments" to far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's widely criticized management of the pandemic. Bolsonaro, who has defied expert advice on handling the new coronavirus, is facing pressure to contain an explosion of cases that is pushing Brazil's hospitals to the brink and threatening his own chances at re-election next year. In a change of course, the president named respected cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga as his new health minister Monday, replacing Eduardo Pazuello, an army general with no prior medical experience. Queiroga, who will be Bolsonaro's fourth health minister of the crisis, hinted at a policy rethink in the administration. "We plan to reduce the number of deaths with two main points: social distancing policies to reduce the spread of the virus, and expanding our hospitals' capacity," he told a news conference, speaking alongside the outgoing minister. Brazil is currently going through its worst weeks of the pandemic. It registered a new 24-hour record of 2,841 deaths Tuesday, bringing the number of people killed by COVID-19 in the country to more than 282,000 -- second only to the United States. Queiroga, 55, called for "unity" among Brazilians, who are deeply divided over Bolsonaro's attacks on stay-at-home measures, face masks and vaccines. The new minister said the president had promised him "autonomy" on pandemic policy. "We will make the necessary adjustments when the time is right," he said, speaking at the ceremonial delivery of 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. "We believe in research, in science." Bolsonaro has seen his disapproval ratings rise as the pandemic continues to hammer the country of 212 million people. A new poll from Datafolha found 54 percent of Brazilians consider his handling of the pandemic bad or terrible, while 56 percent said he was not fit to lead the country -- up six points from January. The director of the Pan American Health Organization, Carissa Etienne, called the recent surge in cases and deaths in Brazil troubling. "The situation in Brazil is a cautionary tale that keeping this virus under control requires continuous attention by public health authorities and leaders to protect people and health systems alike from the devastating impact of this virus," she said.

Brazil health minister vows to implement 'science-based' policies against COVID-19

Brazil's Amazonas has announced a curfew to slow the spread of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-tightens-coronavirus-border-controls-uk-bans-south-american-arrivals-356847">coronavirus </a>with authorities warning dire situation across the vast state.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexican-seamstress-fills-in-void-left-by-covid-19-victims-356820/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Amazonas on Thursday announced a 10-day curfew to combat the virus.

Amazonas governor Wilson Lima said the state was "in the most critical moment of the pandemic" where the health system has been pushed to a breaking point in capital Manaus..

In Manaus, demonstrators formed a human chain to block a road outside a hospital with soaring cases hospitals have run out of beds and oxygen supplies.&nbsp;

Manaus recorded 198 deaths on Wednesday setting a new record for the fourth day even as military personnel delivered 400 oxygen cylinders to Amazonas over the last five days with some patients transferred to other states.

The curfew in the state will begin on Friday from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Brazil has recorded more than 205,000 deaths due to COVID-19 which is the second-highest after the United States. The country has recorded&nbsp;8.3 million infection cases so far.

Another Latin American country Mexico has been hit by its deadliest week of pandemic yet with nearly 1,000 daily deaths recorded officially and the health system reaching a breaking point.

Mexico has recorded 128 million cases and 6,930 deaths in seven days till Wednesday. Mexico has now recorded a total of 1.57 million COVID-19 infections and around 137,000 deaths which is the world's fourth-highest toll.

The country had begun mass immunisation on December 24 but it is constrained by limited supply. On Wednesday, 234,888 health workers received the first of two doses.

Brazil's Amazonas has announced a curfew to slow the spread of the coronavirus with authorities warning dire situation across the vast state. Watch: Amazonas on Thursday announced a 10-day curfew to combat the virus.

Brazil's Amazonas has announced a curfew to slow the spread of the coronavirus with authorities warning dire situation across the vast state. Watch: Amazonas on Thursday announced a 10-day curfew to combat the virus. Amazonas governor Wilson Lima said the state was "in the most critical moment of the pandemic" where the health system has been pushed to a breaking point in capital Manaus.. In Manaus, demonstrators formed a human chain to block a road outside a hospital with soaring cases hospitals have run out of beds and oxygen supplies. Manaus recorded 198 deaths on Wednesday setting a new record for the fourth day even as military personnel delivered 400 oxygen cylinders to Amazonas over the last five days with some patients transferred to other states. The curfew in the state will begin on Friday from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am. Brazil has recorded more than 205,000 deaths due to COVID-19 which is the second-highest after the United States. The country has recorded 8.3 million infection cases so far. Another Latin American country Mexico has been hit by its deadliest week of pandemic yet with nearly 1,000 daily deaths recorded officially and the health system reaching a breaking point. Mexico has recorded 128 million cases and 6,930 deaths in seven days till Wednesday. Mexico has now recorded a total of 1.57 million COVID-19 infections and around 137,000 deaths which is the world's fourth-highest toll. The country had begun mass immunisation on December 24 but it is constrained by limited supply. On Wednesday, 234,888 health workers received the first of two doses.

Brazil's Amazonas state runs out of oxygen supply amid soaring virus cases

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Brazil health minister vows to implement 'science-based' policies against COVID-19

Brazil's Amazonas state runs out of oxygen supply amid soaring virus cases