Brazil could be the next big coronavirus hotspot as the number of cases and deaths surge despite President Jair Bolsonaro's insistence that it is "just a little flu".

Hospitals are being pushed to breaking point and there are signs that a growing number of victims are now dying at home as the outbreak in Latin America's biggest country escalates.

"We have all the conditions here for the pandemic to become much more serious," said Paulo Brandao, a virologist at the University of Sao Paulo.

Image: People queueing in Rio de Janeiro to claim their government allowance amid the coronavirus pandemic

Brazil officially reported around 4,500 deaths and almost 67,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

However, the true numbers are thought to be vastly higher given the lack of testing and the many people who have not sought hospital care.


Some scientists said over one million in Brazil are likely infected.

The country - which has a population of 211 million - is heading into winter, which can worsen respiratory illness.

Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the severity of the disease and insists there is no need for sharp restrictions that have been used to slow the spread in Europe and the US.

The Brazilian leader said people need to resume their lives through the pandemic to prevent an economic meltdown, but most state governors in the country have adopted restrictions to slow the spread and have advised people to stay at home.

Mr Bolsonaro recently fired his popular health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, after a series of disagreements over efforts to contain the virus.

Image: President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of COVID-19

"I know… life is priceless. But the economy and jobs must return to normal," Mr Bolsonaro said, as he introduced his new health minister, Nelson Teich, an advocate for reopening the economy.

Image: Brazil's new health minister, Nelson Teich, speaks during a coronavirus news conference

The sacking of Mr Mandetta sparked widespread protests, with residents leaning out their windows to bang pots and pans.

Medical officials in Rio de Janeiro and at least four other major cities have warned that their hospital systems are on the verge of collapse or are too busy to take any more patients.

In Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America with over 21 million residents, death certificates were issued for 236 people who died at home over the past two weeks - double the number before the outbreak, according to the SAMU paramedic service.

Manaus, an Amazon city of 1.8 million, recorded 142 deaths on Sunday - the most yet - including 41 who died at home.

Mass graves are currently being dug by workers in the city's main cemetery.

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Brazil's funeral industry warned last week that the city was running out of coffins and "there could soon be corpses left on corners".

Meanwhile, Chile's government has said it will issue certificates to people who have recovered from COVID-19, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) saying there is "no evidence" that people who contract coronavirus are immune from being infected again.

Image: Employees work at Viana funeral services to meet the increased demand in Manaus, Brazil

Neighbouring Argentina has taken a serious stance on the pandemic, banning all commercial flights until September in one of the toughest coronavirus travel bans in the world.

Other South American countries including Ecuador and Peru have banned all commercial flights, but none have extended their timeline as far out as Argentina. Brazil has also imposed travel restrictions but not outright bans.

The worsening situation in Brazil comes as some US states and European countries are moving gradually to ease their limits on movement and commerce.

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The US governors of Nevada and Colorado announced their states will join California, Oregon and Washington state in coordinating their reopenings.

Businesses have been allowed to reopen in the state of Georgia, with restaurants receiving the go-ahead to resume dine-in service as long as they follow social distancing rules.

Italy's prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, said measures would be relaxed from 4 May, with people being allowed to visit family members in small numbers.

Technology is also likely to play a role in helping countries ease their restrictions, with countries including Italy, France, Switzerland and the UK working on virus-tracking apps to trace infected people's contacts.