19 December, 2025, 9:44 am Central - 26°C Rain

More than 1 m COVID-19 cases in Brazil

More than 1 m COVID-19 cases in Brazil

By Semi Turaga
20/06/2020
Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio De Janerio, Brazil. [image: Tripadvisor]

Brazil has become the second country in the world to confirm more than one million cases of COVID-19, as the disease continues to spread.

There was a record number of new cases in the past 24 hours - more than 54,000.

In addition, there were more than 1,200 deaths for the fourth consecutive day, taking the total to nearly 49,000.

A lack of testing suggests the true figures are higher and experts say the outbreak is weeks away from its peak.

Only the US has seen more infections.

Brazil's poorest communities and indigenous people have been particularly badly hit by the pandemic.

President Jair Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for his response to the crisis.

The far-right leader - who initially described the disease as a "little flu" - has repeatedly clashed with state governors and mayors who have adopted strict restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, shutting down major cities.

Bolsonaro argues that the economic impact of the measures will be much bigger than the virus itself, a position shared by many. But his overall approach to the crisis has led to the resignation of two doctors as health minister.

FEATURE NEWS
Traffickers exploit victims in hotels, homes, and massage parlours in Fiji - US Report
Traffickers exploit victims in commercial sex establishments, hotels, private homes, and massage parlours in Fiji, and sometimes utilize websites and ...
17 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Poor jetty conditions putting Kadavu villagers’ lives in danger
Villagers in parts of Kadavu have for years been forced to disembark from vessels using boat ramps, putting their lives at risk, particularly newborn ...
2 hours ago

Health Ministry works with Ministry of Public Works to repair Navua Hospital
Following ongoing challenges at Navua Hospital, including the closure of its labour, general, and maternity wards since May this year, the Ministry ...
2 hours ago

Year 13 exams results released today with 95% pass rate
The Fiji Year 13 Examination Provisional Results will be released today at 10am, with 95 percent of students passing compared to 89 percent last ...
2 hours ago

Young teacher mourns grandmother's death day before graduation
26-year-old Shivendra Shiamal Sharma experienced a deeply bittersweet moment after losing his grandmother just a day before graduating as a primary ...
14 hours ago

Seruiratu questions merger of Sugar Ministry with Agriculture
Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu has raised serious concerns regarding the Prime Minister's decision for the Minister for ...
15 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States has expressed serious concern about human trafficking indicators linked to the Grace Road Group in Fiji, as highlighted in the 2025 ...
15 hours ago

Human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group
Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group/+ARTICLE-311061+ARTICLE/PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human ...
1 day ago

Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
7 days ago

TOP