Brazil loses control over pandemic, other countries jeopardized

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Brazil snowballs, the healthcare system is close to collapse. According to experts, Brazil has now become a threat to other countries as the highly contagious Brazilian virus mutation is spreading without control.

Brazil has recorded the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world, only just lower than the level being experienced in the US. Its healthcare system is totally overwhelmed with some experts saying it is close to collapse as many hospitals face shortages of beds, doctors, ventilators, etc.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases had amounted to 1.7 million by mid-March 2021. Brazil’s intensive care units are over 80% occupied in some hospitals and 100% full in others. If patients can get to hospitals, they frequently have to wait in corridors. This most populous Latin American nation has experienced record numbers of daily deaths since the pandemic began, with an average of 1,200 per day and a total death toll of 285,000 by 18 March.

The main cause of such dramatic developments is not only the lack of efficient healthcare infrastructure but also the inappropriate policy of President Jair Bolsonaro with regard to the virus. He has been ignoring the pandemic for many months, opposing the introduction of lockdowns and restrictions as recommended by WHO.

Local officials and experts blame Bolsonaro and the central government for the extent of the crisis that Brazil is experiencing as they have failed to introduce one comprehensive policy to curb the spread of the coronavirus. While local governments have introduced curfews or lockdowns, Bolsonaro has declared that he would never adopt this approach as it could be disastrous for the economy and lead to depression and suicide, completely ignoring the fact that thousands of people are dying every day, unable even to get help from overwhelmed healthcare workers. Instead of being a role model, he has persuaded people not to wear facemasks and praised public gathering and parties, claiming that people should not be cowards and should live normally.

Furthermore, Brazil is struggling against its own mutation of virus – P1, which is estimated to be over twice as transmittable as the original version. It was found in Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon region, spread throughout the country and now the majority of those infected by COVID-19 in Brazil have the P1 mutation. Unfortunately, P1 has also been detected in the US, the UK, and Venezuela, which is why the situation in Brazil can negatively impact other countries. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization has said that what is happening in Brazil is “very concerning” and he warned of a possible regional spillover.

However, experts warn that failure to curb the pandemic in Brazil may have other possible side effects. Felipe Naveca, a virologist and researcher at Fiocruz Amazonia, has said that “This is what viruses do: They evolve, they get stronger. The only way to stop it is to contain its spread which is why we need restrictive measures – there is no other solution. Even if the Government decrees a national lockdown, we need the population to adhere. The action of each one of us will impact everyone as a whole.”

At the same time, Jesem Orellana, an epidemiologist from the Brazilian scientific Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), said that “Brazil is a threat to humanity.”

Brazil has started its vaccination program with the Chinese Sinovac jab which, according to the manufacturer, is effective against P1. As of mid-March, 6 million Brazilians had been vaccinated out of the country’s population of 211 million. President Jair Bolsonaro has also begun negotiations with Pfizer to acquire this vaccine for Brazil as well.