Scenes from South America as pandemic escalates

For days Brazil has made headlines for its steady increase in daily deaths and infections. After China, Europe and the US, South America is now seeing a sharp escalation of the pandemic.

Brazil just saw its highest daily death toll of 1,179. With almost 18,000 new daily infections, the pandemic is rapidly gaining pace in the country – the most populous in the region.

In Peru, a traditional Andean harlequin is reminding people to wear face masks. The country has around 100,000 infections and 3,000 deaths.

In Venezuela, this karate professional has to train in isolation on his rooftop. The country has confirmed only around 600 cases but the lockdown is adding to the already crippling economic crisis.

With fewer than 9,000 confirmed cases, Argentina fares a lot better than its neighbour Brazil. But medics are bracing for things to get worse and are practicing their response.

Chile has had 50,000 cases and 500 deaths so far. On Tuesday soldiers and riot police clashed with demonstrators angry about food shortages and job losses.

Source: Reuters