Latin America has some of the hardest-hit countries in the world as the coronavirus sweeps the globe, and Mexico just hit the record on Tuesday with its highest single-day spike.
Mexico Logs Record-High Daily Increase in Infections
Mexico on Tuesday reported a record-high increase of 3,891 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the national infection toll to 97,326 confirmed cases.
There were also 470 fatalities, bringing the national death toll to 10,637, and experts believe the country could surpass 100,000 cases by Wednesday amid plans to slowly reopen the economy and lift some business restrictions across the country.
Many of the earlier restrictions set in place by the government were lifted on the same day the country saw its biggest daily increase in new cases.
President Under Fire for Alleged Early Reopening
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has come under criticism for his alleged mismanagement of the coronavirus crisis in the country. Critics said it was too early to lift the restrictions.
There were also earlier comments about Obrador allegedly being too slow in imposing movement control orders and social distancing measures.
On Monday, when Mexico breached the 10,000-mark in coronavirus deaths, Obrador launched an infrastructure project that he said was necessary as a starting point in gradually bringing back the usual activities in the country before the pandemic emerged.
The criticism came amid expectations that the Latin American country has yet to reach its peak in confirmed COVID-19 cases.
'Maximum Intensity' of Pandemic, Minister Says
Amid increasing fears that the true numbers of coronavirus infections in the country have yet to unfold, deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said Tuesday that the pandemic in Mexico "is at its maximum level of intensity."
Furthermore, Lopez-Gatell noted that it is common for declines in new infections to have slower progress as opposed to an increase in confirmed cases. However, some health analysts argued that Mexico lacks COVID-19 testing.
A lack of testing, according to health authorities, may make it difficult for affected countries to determine the true extent of infections.
Brazil Reopens Non-Essential Business in Rio
Meanwhile in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro has reopened non-essential business segments despite the country being the second hardest-hit nation in the world.
Among the sectors that were allowed for reopening are furniture stores, car shops, decoration stores, and even churches. It is worth noting that Rio de Janeiro has recorded over 54,000 COVID-19 infections and is one of the hard-hit states in the country.
Rio de Janeiro mayor Marcelo Crivella said on Monday that if citizens abide by proper social distancing measures and the mandatory wearing of masks, they can return to life as usual by as early as August.
Brazil Logs Record-High Deaths in 24 Hours
On Tuesday evening, the Brazilian health ministry logged 1,262 deaths linked to the novel coronavirus, marking a record-high increase in fatalities in 24 hours.
The new deaths also led Brazil to breach the 30,000-mark in deaths. The country now has 31,199 deaths linked to the fast-spreading disease. With 28,936 new confirmed infections, the country now has a total of 555,383 COVID-19 cases.
During a speech in Brasilia earlier in the day, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said the deaths linked to the virus is "everyone's destiny." Bolsonaro has received much criticism from health authorities due to his public condemnation of social distancing and stay-at-home orders.
Health experts have been warning that Brazil's early reopening amid surging infections and deaths will only lead to further devastation.
