The health officials in Brazil who are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic have released a stark caution about the lack of testing devices, masks, hospital beds, and even trained health workers across the largest nation of Latin America.

In a report which the Health Ministry issued on Friday, it indicated that Brazil could presently give roughly 6,700 COVID-19 tests each day.

However, it will need to have between 30,000 to 50,000 tests processed every day, during the pandemic's peak, forecasted to take place in June.

The public healthcare system's latest assessment has raised serious questions regarding its capacity to deal with the outbreak in Brazil of almost 210 million.

More so, the assessment has called to maintain quarantine standards in states hit the hardest by the pandemic, challenging the more laid-back approach of President Jair Bolsonaro to COVID-19. 

Reports have it that the president has compared this pandemic that's been sweeping the world for a couple of months now, to a "little flu" and attacked in public, the governors of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, who introduced the quarantine standards. The clusters are two of Brazil's most significant.

As of this writing, the country's health ministry had already reported more than 11,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 480 deaths in Brazil.

Despite the vast numbers, the outbreak, health officials said, is still in its first stages, and the hospitals in the country are not that ready yet to manage the peak.

READ: Beyond Trump's Wall: The American Backpackers Riding Out COVID-19 in Latin America

Lack of Trained Health Workers

Additionally, the officials also pointed to a lack of trained health workers to handle the "ventilation equipment, advanced nursing care" and respiratory physiotherapy for patients who are critically ill. The intensive care units and hospital beds are also inadequate.

The assessment, which complies with the directives of the World Health Organization (WHO), indicated logistical problems prevented hospitals from obtaining adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), positioning the staff in an essential risk group. 

Moreover, authorities seek an alliance between the private and public sectors to address the scarcities in testing capacities.

However, such arrangements would not have a result to address the need for at least another couple of weeks, said the health officials.

Relatively, past research on influenza, as well as the climates of Brazil, means this pandemic is likely to spread and be at the peak in many different regions at various times of the year, making it quite more challenging for both government authorities to get ready with a national plan.

READ NEXT: From Liquor to Antiseptics: How a Venezuelan Distillery Is Responding to COVID-19

Varying Perceptions about COVID-19

Many people believe that COVID-19 causes moderate or mild symptoms like cough and fever that clear up in 14 to 21 days. Others, specifically the older adults and those with existing health conditions, believe, the infectious disease can lead to more severe illness, which includes pneumonia and even death.

Even the Brazilian president himself, has politically isolated himself by maintaining that economy and jobs must prevail and that this country cannot stop.

His messages, as well as his appearances in public with his supporters, are contrary to Luiz Henrique Mandetta, the Health Minister's recommendations. 

READ MORE: Companies Urged by Mexico's President to Pay Workers and Avoid Usury During COVID-19 Crisis

Tensions between these two officials have increased as Mandetta appeared as a "reassuring figure" amid the public crisis. Incidentally, the minister has gained support among Brazilians along with every day updates on COVID-19, filled not just with best practices and technical details, but also recommendations coming from reputable authorities like the World Health Organization.