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Coronavirus: What are the numbers out of Latin America? Coronavirus: What are the numbers out of Latin America?
(8 days later)
Coronavirus cases have been rising sharply in Latin American countries, contributing to record numbers of new infections being registered globally.Coronavirus cases have been rising sharply in Latin American countries, contributing to record numbers of new infections being registered globally.
Brazil has had more than two million confirmed cases - the second highest in the world after the US. Brazil has had more than 2.4 million confirmed cases - the second highest in the world after the US.
Other countries in the region, including Mexico, Chile and Peru are also battling major outbreaks. Mexico, Chile and Peru are also battling major outbreaks, and in the top 10 countries with the most confirmed cases.
So what are the main trends in Latin America?So what are the main trends in Latin America?
The first confirmed case in Latin America was identified in Brazil on 26 February, although researchers have said there are indications that there were cases there as early as January. The first confirmed case in Latin America was identified in Brazil in late February, although researchers have said there are indications that there were cases there as early as January.
Coronavirus has since spread to every country in the region. Coronavirus has since spread to every country in the region, from Central to South America.
More than 3.8 million cases have been recorded, and more than 160,000 people have died, according to the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 4.4 million cases have been recorded, and more than 185,000 people have died, according to data compiled by the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Latin America's two most populous nations, Brazil and Mexico, have seen the highest number of deaths - more than 79,000 and 39,000 respectively. The two most populous nations, Brazil and Mexico, have seen the highest number of deaths - more than 88,000 and 44,000 respectively.
Peru has the sixth highest number of reported cases in the world, and has had more than 13,000 confirmed deaths. Peru has had more than 18,000 confirmed deaths. And Chile has had more than 9,000 people dead, although the number of daily cases has been coming down.
And Chile is reporting thousands of new coronavirus cases each day, with more than 8,000 people dead. Ecuador recorded one of the earliest and worst outbreaks in the region, although daily deaths here have now dropped.
Ecuador recorded one of the earliest and worst outbreaks in the region, although daily deaths here have now dropped - but this is not the trend in many other countries. How big is the epidemic in Latin America now?
Peak not yet reached
Daily reported deaths in many Latin American countries remain high, as they drop in most countries in Europe.Daily reported deaths in many Latin American countries remain high, as they drop in most countries in Europe.
You can see the differing trends when looking at Brazil, Mexico and Peru compared with three of the worst-hit countries in Europe in terms of deaths - the UK, Italy and France.You can see the differing trends when looking at Brazil, Mexico and Peru compared with three of the worst-hit countries in Europe in terms of deaths - the UK, Italy and France.
The head of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr Carissa Etienne has warned that coronavirus is spreading "exponentially" in many areas of the region.The head of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr Carissa Etienne has warned that coronavirus is spreading "exponentially" in many areas of the region.
The number of deaths in Brazil, Mexico and Peru has been doubling roughly every three to four weeks.
But researchers say both cases and deaths may be under-reported.
For example, a study by the University of São Paulo Medical School estimates the number of infections in Brazil could be up to 6 times higher than the official figure.
Dr Etienne has said "there can be no doubt our region has become the epicentre" of the pandemic.Dr Etienne has said "there can be no doubt our region has become the epicentre" of the pandemic.
And experts say the peak of the epidemic in some Latin American countries could be some weeks away.
As daily cases continue to rise, there are concerns that healthcare systems could be overwhelmed, as has already been the case in Ecuador.As daily cases continue to rise, there are concerns that healthcare systems could be overwhelmed, as has already been the case in Ecuador.
The number of deaths in Brazil, Mexico and Peru has been rising sharply. In Brazil, there've been record numbers of cases reported.
But researchers say both cases and deaths may be under-reported.
For example, a study by the University of São Paulo Medical School estimates the number of infections in Brazil could be up to 6 times higher than the official figure, with the lack of certainty about numbers due to the low levels of testing.
How much testing has been done?
Chile has one of Latin America's highest rates of testing - it's done nearly 79 tests per 1,000 people so far.
But testing across most of the region has been well below some other parts of the world, according to the most recent figures compiled by the UK-based Our World in Data, a UK-based project which collates Covid-19 information.
Mexico has tested just over six people for every 1,000, and Brazil had tested nearly 12 in every 1,000 as of 21 July - compared with more than 152 per 1,000 in the US (as of 25 July).
And of the tests these countries are doing, very high proportions are turning out to be positive, suggesting that they are not testing widely enough to find all cases.
What is being done to stop the spread?What is being done to stop the spread?
As cases rapidly rose in Chile, the government tightened lockdowns across the country.
Mexico and Brazil have continued to take less severe lockdown measures than other Latin American countries.Mexico and Brazil have continued to take less severe lockdown measures than other Latin American countries.
Both have given out guidelines, but have not imposed national restrictions.Both have given out guidelines, but have not imposed national restrictions.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the risks of the virus, but has now caught Covid-19 himself. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the risks of the virus, but then caught Covid-19 himself.
Marcia Castro, a global health professor at Harvard University, says that "the response in Brazil is far from ideal, and currently there is a lack of a uniform message coming from the leadership at different levels."Marcia Castro, a global health professor at Harvard University, says that "the response in Brazil is far from ideal, and currently there is a lack of a uniform message coming from the leadership at different levels."
Other countries such as Argentina have imposed compulsory lockdowns.Other countries such as Argentina have imposed compulsory lockdowns.
Prof Castro says it is, along with Uruguay, among the countries in the region for now able to manage the spread.Prof Castro says it is, along with Uruguay, among the countries in the region for now able to manage the spread.
Peru had one of the first and strictest national lockdowns in the region, which lasted until the end of June.Peru had one of the first and strictest national lockdowns in the region, which lasted until the end of June.
But it continued to see both cases and deaths rise.But it continued to see both cases and deaths rise.
As cases rapidly rise in Chile, the government has tightened lockdowns across the country.
Chile has had one of Latin America's highest rates of testing - it's done around 72 tests per 1,000 people so far.
But testing across most of the region has been below some other parts of the world, according to the most recent figures from Our World in Data.
Mexico has tested around five people for every 1,000, and as of the end of June, Brazil had tested around seven in every 1,000 - compared with more than 133 per 1,000 in the US.
Graphics by Cecilia TombesiGraphics by Cecilia Tombesi
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