THE number of Covid deaths in Brazil has soared passed 500,000 – as President Jair Bolsonaro still refuses to back social distancing measures.
The health institute Fiocruz says the situation in Brazil is “critical” and experts fear the country’s outbreak could worsen amid its lack of restrictions.
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The nation’s slow jab rollout has been a cause for concern, with only 11 per cent of adults fully vaccinated, the BBC reports.
And President Bolsonaro has been criticised for his handling of the pandemic – with his scepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements leaving Brazilians up in arms.
Tens of thousands protested against the Government’s handling of the pandemic on Saturday.
In cities like Rio de Janeiro and Brasília, fuming Brazilians held banners with slogans like “Bolsonaro must go” or the words “500,000”.
It came as Brazil reported an average of 70,000 cases and 2,000 Covid deaths per day in the last week.
Most of the new infections and deaths were among people aged 20-59, Fiocruz said, warning that the start of winter in the southern hemisphere next week, could result in more infections.
But despite bitter pleas from scientists, rule-makers have already relaxed restrictions, with bars and shops reopening in many cities.
It’s also not uncommon for people to avoid masks and social distancing on the streets.
“People in Brazil are tired and they normalise death now so I think we still have a long way to go,” Dr Natalia Pasternak Taschner, a microbiologist at the Question of Science Institute, told the BBC.
“If we’re not successful in changing the behaviour of people and if we don’t have campaigns for mask wearing, social distancing and vaccinations coming directly from the central government we’re not going to be able to control it.”
Robert Almeida, a 50-year-old marching in Rio, told AFP: “His position on Covid and his denialism are absurd.
“He has abandoned reality and common sense. There is no explaining this, it is surreal.”
Meanwhile, protester Denise Azevedo told Reuters: “Herd immunity won’t do any good. The only immunity you can get is with the vaccine.
“There is no early treatment. I have lost millions of friends, almost lost a cousin… people are orphans, fatherless, motherless, and childless.”
The rate of occupancy of intensive care unit beds in Brazil remains at or above 80% in most states, while cities struggle with short supplies of vaccines.
A parliamentary inquiry at the Brazilian Senate is looking into President Bolsonaro’s handling of the pandemic.
The opposition accuses him of delaying vaccine orders for political reasons, as he has consistently down-played the seriousness of the pandemic.
But the president, whose popularity has plummeted, insists he has done all he can to buy vaccines from several countries.
He also insists the impact of lockdowns on the economy would be worse than the virus.
President Bolsonaro has not commented on the country’s 500,868 deaths.
Only the US has reported more Covid deaths overall, with a current toll of 617,109.
