Brazil has confirmed more than 330,890 cases of COVID-19 and is close to overtaking Russia to become the country with the second-highest number of infections in the world.
Brazil reported a total of 21,048 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, making it the hardest-hit nation in Latin America.
It looks set to overtake Russia, which has a total of 335,882 cases. The two countries are behind only the US, which has more than 1.6 million cases.
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A patient holds a sign that reads ‘I beat the COVID-19 #StayAtHome’ at a hospital in Manaus, Brazil
However, states and cities across Brazil are debating whether to loosen restrictive measures.
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro said he wanted to gradually reopen non-essential shops in the next few days.
In Sao Paulo, the worst-hit city, footage showed rows of graves at the Formosa Cemetery as it struggled to keep up with demand as officials reconsidered its previously announced plans to reopen commerce.
Brazil and Mexico have reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week, fuelling ongoing criticism of their presidents who were slow to enforce restrictive measures in an attempt to limit economic damage.
Far-right Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro has seen his poll ratings drop over his handling of the crisis.
Two heath ministers left their positions within a month after he continued to push for the use of the anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat even mild cases of COVID-19 – despite the lack of conclusive eence of their effectiveness.
Infections have also risen in Peru, Chile and Ecuador – countries which imposed early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines.
Colombia reported its biggest daily increase on Friday, with 801 new confirmed cases and 30 deaths. The country has been locked down for nearly two months, with nearly 20,000 people being diagnosed with the virus to date.
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Aerial view of dug graves at the Vila Formosa Cemetery on the outskirts of Sao Paulo
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Relatives react during the burial of 64-year-old Raimunda Conceicao Souza, who died from COVID-19, at Vila Formosa cemetery, Sao Paulo
The true number of cases and deaths across Latin America is likely higher than the figures suggest, as the region has been slow to ramp up testing.
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases have continued to fall in much of Asia, with China – where the outbreak began – reporting no new confirmed cases.
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Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has been criticised over his response to the coronavirus pandemic
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A woman wearing a protective face mask sunbaths in Ipanema beach amid the coronavirus outbreak in Rio de Janeiro
There were just 23 new infections in South Korea, mostly from the densely populated Seoul area where authorities shut down thousands of nightclubs and bars to curb the spread of the disease.
Brazil records 1,000 deaths in a single day
The US has been the hardest hit country in the world, with more than 96,000 deaths, however some regions are opening more quickly than others.
Michigan’s stay-at-home order was extended until 12 June while keeping theatres, gyms and other places of public accommodation closed until at least then, while Nevada is preparing to reopen its casinos, including ones in Las Vegas, from 4 June.
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Russian president Vladimir Putin said coronavirus has stabilised in the country, with the number of new infections dropping.
Mr Putin said on Friday that “the positive dynamic is not so fast as we would like it to be, sometimes even unstable, but it does exist.”
