COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil has resulted in 37,519,960[1] confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 702,116[1] deaths. The virus was confirmed to have spread to Brazil on 25 February 2020,[4] when a man from São Paulo who had traveled to Italy[5] tested positive for the virus. The disease had spread to every federative unit of Brazil by 21 March. On 19 June 2020, the country reported its one millionth case and nearly 49,000 reported deaths.[6][7] One estimate of under-reporting was 22.62% of total reported COVID-19 mortality in 2020.[8][9][10]
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a variety of responses from federal, state and local governments, having an impact on politics, education, the environment,[11] and the economy. On 27 March 2020 Brazil announced a temporary ban on foreign air travelers[12] and most state governors have imposed quarantines to prevent the spread of the virus.[13] President Jair Bolsonaro has perpetuated conspiracy theories surrounding COVID-19 treatments[14] and its origins,[15] and was accused of downplaying effective mitigations and pursuing a strategy of herd immunity.[16] In October 2021, a congressional panel recommended criminal charges against the president for his handling of the pandemic, including crimes against humanity.[16]
As of 23 April 2024, Brazil, with 37,519,960[1] confirmed cases and 702,116[1] deaths, has the third-highest number of confirmed cases and second-highest death toll from COVID-19 in the world, behind only those of the United States and of India.
Responses
Scientific research and forecast
On 19 March 2020, scientists predicted up to 2 million deaths in Brazil in the worst-case scenario without measures to contain the virus. They pointed out that a policy of social distancing was one of the most effective measures given the lack of a vaccine.[156]
On 20 March, experts from Italy warned that the coronavirus growth curve in Brazil would repeat that of European countries. An observatory with physicists from USP, University of Campinas, São Paulo State University, University of Brasília, Federal University of ABC, UC Berkeley and the University of Oldenburg showed that the number of infected people, considering data from 19 March, had been doubling every 54 hours, and that the case total would exceed 3,000 by the 24th.[157][158]
On 21 March, researchers began to mobilize to increase the availability of testing in Brazil. The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro was attempting to create a serology test, as opposed to the more common PCR test, to detect infections through a patient's blood samples.[159]
Minister of Health Luiz Henrique Mandetta said that the number of cases would increase exponentially until the end of June.[160]
On 23 March, a report from FGV economist Emerson Marçal predicted a negative 2020 GDP of up to 4.4% due to the effect of the coronavirus.[161]
Eleven COVID-19 patients died after receiving high doses of the anti-malarial drug chloroquine in a study in Brazil. This was reported in mid-April. The study was halted.[162]
On 15 August 2020, three joint-ventures began testing a new COVID-19 vaccine in Brazil. The origin of the research and development became a hugely debated issue, further complicated by conspiracy theories spread by anti-vax groups and renowned political allies of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian President along with xenophobia.[163]