Health officials in Brazil reported more than 19,951 new cases and 1,188 daily coronavirus deaths on Thursday, making it one of the world's worst outbreaks. The new surge has overwhelmed the country's health care system, forcing it on the brink of collapse. 

The country's alarming numbers come after Brazil ranks third among the countries with the world's highest confirmed cases. The nation only trails 7,000 cases behind Russia, which ranks the second-highest. However, health experts believe the death tolls are likely higher due to inadequate testing.

As of Monday, the country's Health Ministry has processed nearly 338,000 COVID-19 tests. Officials say there are 145,000 tests still awaiting results.

On the Brink

The country's health system is struggling to keep up with the overwhelming numbers of COVID-19 patients. Some of its hospital systems in significant cities are lacking adequate medical supplies and personal protective equipment, putting frontliners at risk. The shortage of equipment has led to more than 15,000 coronavirus-infected nurses with 137 dead. 

According to media sites, the virus is killing more nurses in Brazil faster than anywhere else in the world. The nation's Federal Nursing Council attributes the surge in COVID-19 deaths among medical employees to a lack of preparation. 

The federal government is also facing logistical problems that have affected their distribution of the 15,000 ventilators that are crucial to severe COVID-19 patients. 

The virus has also begun spreading rapidly through impoverished areas and communities situated on the outskirts of the cities. Residents living in the favelas have difficulty observing social distancing guidelines due to cramped and poor sanitary conditions. 

Lack of Unity

Medical experts said the dramatic increase in cases might possibly be because of the lack of unity between Brazil's local and federal government. Bolsonaro has also continuously pushed for the country's economy to reopen. State governors have defied him and imposed strict stay-at-home measures. 

Officials in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have tightened their coronavirus restrictions and required the public to wear face masks or coverings. While the Supreme Court supported the policies, Bolsonaro signed an order to assign gyms and nail salons as essential businesses.

According to a social media post, the right-wing president believes the economic impact of closing the businesses are worse than the COVID-19 disease. He later threatened to take legal actions against governors who do not comply with his decree. Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel, along with ten others, said they would not follow the ruling. 

The Brazilian leader has also touted the antimalaria drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as a possible treatment for the virus amid warnings from public health officials. Newer studies have shown ingesting the drug would not have benefits.  

On Wednesday, the health ministry issued federal guidelines that allow medical workers to use the unproven drug to treat mild cases of coronavirus. The new guidelines suggested combining the malaria drugs with an antibiotic when coronavirus-related symptoms appear. Patients are required to sign a waiver acknowledging the potential side effects. 

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