Brazil’s daily death toll from coronavirus rises to 17,971

The country has reported 271,628 confirmed cases, an increase of 17,408 new cases in the last 24 hours.

Brazil, the hardest-hit country in Latin America, is the third worst-hit nation in the world, having surpassing the United Kingdom.

While at least 8,318 patients are being treated in intensive care units, more than 107,000 patients suffering from coronavirus have been discharged from hospital after being cured.

Sao Paulo, the country’s most-populated state, continues to be the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in Brazil. The state has so far reported 66,049 confirmed coronavirus cases, with at least 5,147 deaths.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro downplayed the risk of Covid-19 and likened the disease to a "mild flu."

Bolsonaro's handling of coronavirus pandemic and his demand on reopening economy have sparked criticism, with Health Minister Nelson Teich resigning last week.

Coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Brazil on 25 February 2020, after a 61-year-old man from São Paulo who had returned from Lombardy, Italy tested positive for the virus.

The pandemic has triggered a variety of responses from federal, state and local governments, with an impact on politics, education and the economy. On 27 March Brazil announced a temporary ban on foreign air travelers, and most state governors have imposed quarantines to prevent the spread of the virus. (ILKHA)