Brazil is facing a dire COVID-19 situation, with public health experts warning of an \"unimaginable loss of lives\" if immediate actions aren't taken.
A team led by Marcia Castro from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, including experts from the University of São Paulo, criticized the Brazilian government's response. They highlighted a dangerous mix of inaction and misguided strategies, such as promoting chloroquine without evidence.
With over 360,000 deaths, Brazil holds the grim title of the second-highest death toll globally and ranks third in confirmed cases with over 13 million infections.
Hospitals in cities like Manaus have been overwhelmed, struggling with a shortage of beds and supplies. Data from state health secretaries show that 24 out of 27 of Brazil’s states and the federal district have more than 80% of their intensive care units occupied.
Rio de Janeiro has seen more deaths than births for the sixth consecutive month, and at least 10 other cities with over half a million people reported similar trends in March, according to the national Civil Register.
Dr. Fatima Marinho from the University of São Paolo noted an increase in cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during the pandemic. While rare, MIS can occur in children up to six weeks after a COVID-19 infection, with 1,300 baby deaths reported in Brazil.
The emergence of the P1 variant, first discovered in Brazil, has intensified the crisis. This variant is 2.5 times more contagious than the original virus and resistant to antibodies, according to research from the public health institute Fiocruz.
Experts fear that as the virus continues to spread, more mutations could emerge. \"The pandemic being out of control in Brazil caused the variant. And it's going to cause more variants. It's going to cause more mutations because this is what happens when you let the virus replicate freely,\" said Natalia Pasternak, a Brazilian microbiologist.
Additionally, Brazil's vaccine rollout has been slow, with shortages due to delays in deliveries and production. With vaccines not widely available until the second half of 2021, the impact remains limited.
Despite the high number of cases and deaths, some Brazilian states and cities are easing COVID-19 restrictions. President Jair Bolsonaro has also stated that the country will not implement a national lockdown.
As the situation continues to evolve, experts emphasize the urgent need for better management and equitable vaccine distribution to prevent further loss of life.
