Coronavirus Latin America: Over 11,000 New Cases In Brazil, Over 4,000 In Peru

Some Latin American countries have been doing well in containing the novel coronavirus but Brazil in particular has been on the news as of late due to protests against social distancing measures despite a devastating spike in new COVID-19 infections in the country.

Brazil Logs Over 11,000 New Cases in 24 Hours

The Brazilian health ministry on Monday announced 11,687 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 374,898. There were also 807 new deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 23,473.

Brazil has been struggling to contain the virus amid ongoing protests among the masses and the apparent support of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for people who want social distancing measures to be lifted.

News of over 11,000 new confirmed cases came roughly two days after Brazil toppled Russia's COVID-19 toll to become the second hardest-hit country in the world.

Political Division Intensifies as Local Leaders Call Out Bolsonaro

During the weekend, Manaus mayor Arthur Virgilio Neto expressed disappointment over Bolsonaro's handling of the coronavirus. Virgilio Neto said the president was "co-responsible" for increasing infections and lives lost to the coronavirus.

"Shut up, stay home and resign," Virgilio Neto said. His comments came as Manaus is considered one of the top 10 hardest-hit locations in the country. It now has over 13,000 confirmed cases and over 1,100 deaths.

Virgilio Neto isn't the only person who has publicly condemned Bolsonaro's lax management of Brazil's COVID-19 battle. Other politicians have also pushed for strict social distancing measures despite Bolsonaro's calls to ease quarantines and lockdowns.

Aside from political opposition, Bolsonaro is also being pressured with the travel ban on Brazil that the White House announced on Sunday.

Travel Ban Puts Bolsonaro in Hot Seat

Experts believe the U.S. travel ban on Brazil arrivals will put Bolsonaro on a tight spot after he taunted close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump over the past months.

While trade between the two nations will not be impacted by the travel ban, the new order is still expected to have an effect on diplomatic ties between the countries considered as allies.

The White House has yet to announce the end of the travel ban and it will affect non-U.S. citizens who traveled to Brazil over the last two weeks. Furthermore, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany explained that the decision was made to prevent infections in the United States that have an infection route stemming from Brazil.

Politicians who openly denounce Bolsonaro's COVID-19 response have since taken to social media to question whether Bolsonaro will continue to taunt his supposed admiration of Trump after Brazilians and travelers to the country have been banned from entering the U.S.

Over 4,000 New Cases in Peru

Meanwhile in Peru, 4,020 new confirmed coronavirus cases were logged on Monday, bringing the country's total number of infections to 123,979. The death toll also increased by 173 to 3,629. The new number of cases made Peru retain its place as the second hardest-hit country in Latin America.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra announced on Monday that the government will continue to monitor various markets in the country after the latest data from the health ministry revealed that 36 percent of people under the expansive goods trading sector have tested COVID-19 positive.

Vizcarra said in his daily briefing that since markets are crucial in Peru's economy and society, the government will continue to ensure that these locations are compliant with the government's sanitization and cleanliness guidelines.