Coronavirus corpse loaded into coffin in the street as Latin America becomes new pandemic epicentre
LATIN America is now the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic as another body has been found lying in the street in Ecuador.
A woman’s body has been found dead on a street in Ecuador’s capital Quito, at least the second one this month.
⚠️ Read our for the latest news & updates
The discovery comes as Brazil and Mexico on Thursday reported a record one-day rise in new coronavirus cases.
The surge in virus cases across chunks of Latin America comes at a time when other regions, especially Europe and China, are seeing a downward trajectory of new infections.
Brazil, the hardest-hit country in Latin America, registered a daily record of 13,944 new cases, bringing its total to 202,918 confirmed cases of the virus and 13,933 deaths since the outbreak began, according to health ministry data.
Mexico, the second most impacted nation in the region, reported 2,409 new infections on Thursday, to bring its total confirmed coronavirus cases to 42,595. An additional 257 coronavirus deaths brought total fatalities to 4,477.
Other countries in South America are also struggling to cope with the spread of the virus, notably Peru and Ecuador.
DEATH RATE 'FIVE TIMES HIGHER' THAN NORMAL
In some areas the death rate is five times higher than normal, according to analysis by .
In the port city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, deaths peaked at five times the average—an increase comparable to the spike in deaths seen in New York City during the worst of its outbreak.
The city’s residents were reportedly forced to leave dead bodies in cardboard boxes on the streets for days.
In the last two months, deaths in Lima, Peru, doubled over historical averages.
Worryingly, both the leaders of Brazil and Mexico have intensified attempts to reopen their economies in the face of the startling figures.
Brazilian right-wing populist President Jair Bolsonaro and Mexico’s leftist leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador have frequently swum against the tide of scientific opinion since the crisis broke out, first by playing down the threat of the virus and more recently by focusing on reopening their economies despite rising cases.
“We are in the most difficult moment of the first wave of the epidemic,” Mexico’s coronavirus tsar, Hugo Lopez-Gatell, said on Thursday.
He said Mexico was at the peak of its pandemic cycle and “could not relax measures,” warning that the country needed to embrace a “new normality” amid threats of virus resurgence.
We are in the most difficult moment of the first wave of the epidemic
Mexico’s coronavirus tsar Hugo Lopez-Gatell
On Thursday, government data showed more than half of hospitals in the capital were saturated with coronavirus patients.
Lopez-Gatell’s comments jarred with intensifying preparations to ease restrictions and reopen Mexico’s economy, especially the automotive sector and factories near the US border to help supply chains vital for US manufacturing companies.
Similar efforts to fire up the economy were gathering pace in Brazil, as Bolsonaro urged business leaders to push for lifting lockdown orders in Sao Paulo, the financial centre.
most read in world news
In a videoconference, Bolsonaro told a gathering of business leaders to “play tough” with Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, who has issued social distancing orders and said he will not comply with Bolsonaro’s latest decree to reopen gyms and beauty salons.
“One man is deciding the future of Sao Paulo,” Bolsonaro said, referring to Doria. “He is deciding the future of Brazil’s economy.
"With all due respect, you have to call the governor and play tough - play tough - because it’s a serious issue, it is war. Brazil is at stake.”
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.