Brazil Records 9,056 Confirmed Coronavirus Infections, 359 Deaths (April 3rd)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil records 9,056 confirmed coronavirus infections (causing Covid-19). The data was updated in the Ministry of Health’s daily report, released on Friday. For the fourth day running, there were over a thousand new cases; there were 7,910 confirmed infections in the previous daily report.

In one week, deaths have risen 290 percent when comparing the data between March 27th and April 3rd. The number increased from 92 to 359. The mortality rate is four percent and most of the deaths are of people over 60 with some form of cardiac condition and diabetes.

According to the Ministry of Health, Manaus, Brasília, Fortaleza, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the cities of greatest concern due to the fast increase of cases.

“Now Manaus is on our radar, showing that it could have a fast rise in the case curve. There is also concern for the indigenous population,” Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta said at a media conference on Friday.

According to the Ministry’s data, Amazonas has 260 confirmed cases and seven deaths. The Federal District records 402 confirmed infections, Ceará reports 627 and Rio de Janeiro counts 1,074. São Paulo concentrates 45 percent of all confirmed cases with a total of 4,048. There are 219 recorded deaths.

Homemade masks

In order to help fight the spread of the coronavirus, the Ministry of Health has been encouraging the use of homemade masks, since there is a shortage of this product worldwide.

However, in order for its use to be effective, some care is required. This is why the portfolio published on Thursday, April 2nd, an instruction manual on how to make your mask at home. The aim is that new productions of the item are directed to health professionals.

In the manual, the Ministry advises that masks should have at least two layers of cloth, and should be for personal use. The fabrics may be cotton, voile, TNT (Nonwoven Fabric) or other fabrics, provided they are correctly designed and sanitized.

For washing, soap or bleach is recommended, soaking the masks for approximately 20 minutes.