BRASILIA, May 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil reported 2,398 more deaths from COVID-19, raising the national count to 454,429, the Ministry of Health said.
A total of 80,486 more infections were detected, raising the nationwide tally to 16,274,695, the ministry said.
Brazil has the world’s second highest COVID-19 death toll, after the United States, and the third largest caseload, following the United States and India.
The South American country is experiencing a new wave of infections, which has resulted in an increase in cases and deaths as hospitals are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients.
Brazil has administered more than 58.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and over 18.8 million people have received two jabs, according to the ministry.
Meanwhile, Sao Paulo state, the country’s hardest-hit by COVID-19, announced an extension of restrictions including lockdown until June 14, due to a rise in hospitalizations.
“The indicators of the pandemic recommend caution and that is why we are adopting caution,” Governor Joao Doria said at a press conference.
Sao Paulo had planned to ease the measures, including reopening restaurants and other non-essential businesses as of May 31. Now, a 9:00 p.m. (2400 GMT) to 5:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) curfew will remain in place, and establishments allow a maximum capacity of 40 percent.
The occupancy rate of intensive care beds in the state has again exceeded 80 percent, which had not happened since the end of April, according to the state government.
Sao Paulo, the most populous Brazilian state with more than 46 million inhabitants, has registered 3,226,875 accumulated cases and 109,241 deaths from COVID-19 as of Wednesday. — NNN-XINHUA
