Brazil sees a record 11,385 coronavirus cases and becomes sixth worst-hit country by the pandemic, overtaking France
Brazil registered a record of 11,385 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, overtaking France as the sixth worst-hit country in the world.
Brazil also recorded 749 new deaths from coronavirus, bringing the overall toll to 13,149.
The country's 11,385 new coronavirus cases brings their total number of infections up to 188,974, according to data from their health ministry.
Brazil registered a record of 11,385 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, overtaking France as the sixth worst-hit country in the world. Pictured, relatives watch as a man who died of coronavirus is buried at Vila Formosa cemetery, Brazil's biggest cemetery, in Sao Paulo
This passes France's newly-revised total of 177,700 confirmed and suspected cases, which was down 0.3% as of Wednesday morning.
Brazil has become the sixth hardest-hit country from the disease as the pandemic sends the economy towards its worst hit year since at least 1900.
The pandemic has battered Brazil's economy as residents shelter at home and many state and local governments instructed most businesses to close to slow the spread of the virus.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has locked horns with state governors for weeks over the lockdowns, saying they are causing more damage through lost jobs than the disease itself.
On Wednesday, the economy ministry predicted the Brazilian economy would contract 4.7% in 2020, the biggest annual fall since records began more than a century ago.
The ministry estimates every additional week of quarantine measures costs the economy 20 billion reais (£2.7billion).
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (pictured) has locked horns with state governors over the lockdowns, saying they are causing more damage through lost jobs than the disease itself
'It will reach the point where hungry people take to the streets,' Bolsonaro said on Wednesday.
He escalated the fight this week by declaring gyms and beauty salons as 'essential' services that can open for business, threatening legal action against local governments that don't comply.
Sao Paulo, Brazil's most populous state and with the most cases of the virus, will not comply with Bolsonaro's decree, Governor Joao Doria said on Wednesday, echoing comments made by at least 10 other governors.
The five countries that have registered more infections than Brazil are the United States, Spain, Russia, the United Kingdom and Italy.
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