New Covid-19 infections fall, but critical cases rise

Brazil’s Covid-19 death toll is now rivalling the US as it became the second country to see over 400,000 deaths since the pandemic began. Experts are saying that number is expected to keep surging as the vaccine roll out has been slow to take off, as well as restrictions loosening in recent days.

They also warn that loosening Covid measures will not help slow down Covid-related deaths over the next few months as vaccines cannot be counted on to curb the virus’ spread. Pedro Hallal, an epidemiologist says history is repeating itself. The surge in infections is being attributed to the P.1 coronavirus variant that is believed to be 2.5 times more contagious that the original version.

“Brazil will repeat the same mistake as last year. What will Brazil do now? Go back to easing restrictions and that will stabilise us at 2,000 deaths per day, as if 2,000 deaths from a single…