PRESIDENT SEEN JET-SKIING AS BRAZIL DEATHS CROSS 10,000

RIODEJANEIRO: Brazil, the hardesthit Latin American country in the coronavirus pandemic, has surpassed 10,000 deaths, according to figures released on Saturday by the Ministry of Health.

While Brazil’s numbers are high - 10,627 deaths and 155,939 confirmed cases- scientists think the real figures could be 15 or even 20 times worse, given the country’s inability to carry out widespread testing.

Congress and the Supreme Court decreed an official mourning period of three days and lawmakers asked Brazilians to follow health authorities’ recommendations to reduce infection rates. Meanwhile President Jair Bolsonaro, who opposes stay-athome measures due to their impact on the country’s economy, was seen jet skiing on Lake Paranoa in Brasilia, according to the Metropoles news website.

Resisting pressure from Bolsonaro, the governors of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states have said they will extend the partial quarantine measures in force since March until the end of May.