UPDATE 1-Brazil's coronavirus cases pass Germany's as Bolsonaro fights to open gyms
Source: Reuters
MAY 12, 2020 / 7:06 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
Pedro Fonseca, Lisandra Paraguassu
4 MIN READ
(Adds Health Ministry data, comparison with Germany and France, comments from president and governor)
By Pedro Fonseca and Lisandra Paraguassu
RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA, May 12 (Reuters) - Brazils confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus passed Germany on Tuesday, as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro fought states over his wish to reopen gyms and beauty parlors even as his country becomes a new global hotspot for the pandemic.
Brazil has confirmed 177,589 cases since its outbreak began in late February, passing Germanys 170,508 confirmed cases and drawing nearly even with Frances tally of 178,225 confirmed and probable cases.
Europe is beginning to lift lockdowns as the death toll in the region eases, but the outbreak is still accelerating in Brazil, where Bolsonaro has played down the risks of the disease and criticized state governments isolation orders.
Brazil recorded its deadliest day yet, with 881 confirmed deaths in 24 hours from the COVID-19 respiratory disease caused by the virus.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-brazil/update-1-brazils-coronavirus-cases-pass-germanys-as-bolsonaro-fights-to-open-gyms-idUSL1N2CU34C?rpc=401&