The epicenter of the global pandemic COVID-19 moved to South America. This is evidenced by the outbreak in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, said in a who statement.
"We are monitoring South American countries with a growing number of cases. But, of course, most of all at this stage, it is affected by the Brazil", – quotes CNBC Executive Director of the who programme on emergency situations Michael Ryan.
According to officials in Brazil more cases COVID-19 than in any other country in South America. The number of infected is approaching 300 000, from the disease died almost 19 000 people.
Ryan also noted that the Brazilian government approved the "broader" the use of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine. President Donald trump is taking it to protect from infection. However, studies have questioned the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine. Patients who were treated with this drug, the risk of death was higher than those who don’t.
It was also noted that the majority of cases COVID-19 occurs in the region of são Paulo, also affected the States of Rio de Janeiro, ceará, Amazonas and Pernambuco. The highest levels of the epidemic recorded in Amazonas. There are about 490 people infections per 100,000 population, which is quite high, said the who representative.
