Brazil on Saturday crossed the grim figure of 500,000 COVID deaths which is the second-highest in the world, even as health experts warned that the outbreak could worsen due to slow vaccination and the start of winter.
COVID virus has continued to spread as President Jair Bolsonaro has consistently refused to back measures like social distancing and wearing of mask in public, even as Congress is investigating the government’s handling of the pandemic.
The health institute Fiocruz says the situation in the country is “critical” as so far they have managed to fully vaccinate only 15% of adults.
President Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for not implementing a co-ordinated national response and for his scepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing, which he has sought to loosen.
The opposition has accused the president handling the situation as a political problem instead of a health issue like delaying the purchase of vaccines for political reasons, as he has consistently played down the severity of the pandemic.
