Brazil's new crown deaths exceed 500,000 people hold protests

Brazil's new crown deaths exceed 500,000 people hold protests

 Brazil's new crown deaths exceeded 500,000, and people in many places held protests to criticize the government for its ineffective anti-epidemic

[Global Times Special Correspondent Qin Rui, Global Times Reporter Zhang Jidan] According to a report on the 19th by the Brazilian news website "G1", Brazilian Health Minister Ceroga confirmed that the country’s cumulative deaths from new coronary pneumonia exceeded 500,000. In response to this, people in many places in Brazil held demonstrations on the same day, criticizing Bolsonaro's government for not being able to fight the epidemic. Brazilian media predict that the country's new crown pneumonia epidemic may worsen, and the cumulative number of deaths may exceed that of the United States in the next three months.

According to data released by the Brazilian Ministry of Health on the evening of the 19th, there were 82,288 new confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in the country within 24 hours, and a total of 17,783,750 confirmed cases; 2301 new deaths and a total of 500,800 deaths. Brazil is the second country after the United States to have more than 500,000 deaths from new coronary pneumonia. Statistics from the World Health Organization show that Brazil currently ranks third in the world in the number of confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia, lower than the United States and India; the cumulative number of deaths ranks second in the world, only lower than the United States.

A reporter from the Global Times observed that at present, life in major cities in Brazil has almost returned to normal. Restaurants, bars, and shops are open. Many people on the street are not wearing masks, but the epidemic is still quite serious. "G1" said that since April 8th last year, Brazil has ranked among the top 10 deaths from new coronary pneumonia in the world for 428 consecutive days. From January to April this year, the epidemic in Brazil was the most severe. Anti-epidemic measures such as requiring shops to suspend business have seen results, and the mortality rate gradually decreased in May. Since then, various places have been unblocked, and the number of deaths in the country is still hovering at around 2,000. Among the 26 states and the Capital Federal District, 19 places are in dire conditions, and intensive care units are full, and some of them have to transfer severe cases to other states. Brazilian media predicts that, at the current rate, the cumulative number of deaths in Brazil may surpass that of the United States in less than three months.

According to the global weekly report on the new crown pneumonia epidemic released by the WHO on the 15th, 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have reported the discovery of the new crown variant virus, of which Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Panama have reported that all 4 species have been marked as "needed" by the WHO. Concerned about the mutant virus. Aldigieri, head of New Coronary Pneumonia Affairs of the Pan American Health Organization under the WHO, said that the "gamma" mutant virus is currently in a dominant position in Brazil, and it also has serious impacts on neighboring countries such as Argentina, Peru, and Chile.

"G1" said that although Brazil has received more than 84 million doses of vaccine, the vaccination rate by population is still low. More than 52% of Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 44% have received a full dose of the vaccine, which is much higher than Brazil (28% and 11%) and India (15% and 3.5%). Up to now, Brazil ranks 67th in the world in terms of the ratio of vaccinated population, which is equivalent to 39 doses of vaccine for every 100 residents. CNN reported that the Bolsonaro government was strongly criticized by the public for giving up the opportunity to buy vaccines early. Vaccine manufacturer Pfizer said that between August and November last year, the company did not receive a response to the Brazilian government’s proposal to sell vaccines. CNN also mentioned that Brazil recently took the initiative to take over after Argentina and Colombia refused to host the Copa America football league, which has exacerbated the chaos in the country's health system.

"G1" said that on the 19th, thousands of people across Brazil took to the streets to protest against President Bolsonaro's epidemic prevention measures, criticizing the federal government for not only inadequate procurement of vaccines, but also questioning the necessity of wearing masks. In addition to state capitals and the capital and federal districts, demonstrations broke out in at least 118 cities across Brazil. The protesters demanded more vaccines, Bolsonaro stepped down, the government provided 600 reais (approximately RMB 760) per person per month in emergency assistance, eradicating hunger and poverty, and protecting the environment and the rights of indigenous peoples. In Sao Paulo, protesters wearing masks chanted slogans against Bolsonaro and called for "vaccinations on their arms and food on their plates." In Rio de Janeiro, demonstrators also called for increased vaccination.

With the approach of Brazil's presidential election next year, Bolsonaro's approval rating continues to decline. A poll conducted by Brazilian polling agency Datafolha last month showed that Bolsonaro’s approval rating dropped to a new low, with only 24% of Brazilians considering his government “good” or “great”.

The Brazilian media mentioned that at the beginning of this year, the small Brazilian city of Serana was fully vaccinated with the Kellyford vaccine from China Kexing Company. The results of the trial announced by the government of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil on May 31 showed that after the full vaccination was completed, compared with the data at the beginning of the trial, the number of new symptomatic new crown cases in the local area dropped by 80%, the number of hospitalizations fell by 86%, and the number of new deaths The number of cases dropped by 95%. Professor Albuquerque of Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil said in an interview recently that Serrana’s successful experience shows that the hope of defeating the new crown virus and its variants lies in mass vaccination. In addition, Brazilian experts also suggested that the government should adopt large-scale new crown virus testing, and local governments can cooperate with universities to improve new crown virus detection capabilities. Brazilian epidemiologist Harald said that winter in the southern hemisphere is approaching. If there are no restrictive measures and blockades, the number of deaths in Brazil will continue to rise until the vaccination rate reaches 40%.