8 June

Brazil's government has stopped reporting the total number of coronavirus infections and deaths in the country. Critics say the move is an attempt to cover up the seriousness of the pandemic.

The virus is spreading rapidly, particularly in the densely populated slums. The total number of infections is now over 670,000. That puts the country second, behind the United States.

The figures on the Health Ministry's website were previously updated daily. But since Saturday, the site has been showing the number of people who have recovered from COVID-19.

The ministry has not given a reason for the change. But President Jair Bolsonaro has claimed that state governors have been exaggerating the totals to secure larger budgets.

Local media outlets and some residents have been stepping up their criticism. They say the government is trying to hide the real situation.

Bolsonaro has been criticized in Brazil and abroad for his lack of action in response to the pandemic. On Friday, he threatened to pull his country out of the World Health Organization. He claims the WHO is politically biased.

NHK