Brazil: Over 3,251 coronavirus deaths recorded in one day

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has confirmed his fourth health minister since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the South American country set a new one-day record for coronavirus deaths.

Bolsonaro, a coronavirus sceptic who continues to reject health restrictions despite a recent increase in coronavirus infections, Tuesday signed a decision calling on cardiologist Dr. Marcelo Queiroga as Minister of Health.

Queiroga replaces Army General Eduardo Pazuello, who has been criticized for having no public health experience.

"The new minister meets the technical requirements and has a flawless reputation for the position, with enough experience not only in healthcare but also in management," the health ministry said in a statement.

Brazil on Tuesday registered 3,251 additional coronavirus deaths - a new record - as the country continues to struggle with an increase in infections that have pushed hospitals and other healthcare facilities to the limit.

The country has so far reported more than 12 million COVID-19 cases, according to a version by Johns Hopkins University, as well as more than 295,000 deaths.

Bolsonaro is facing increasing criticism for the ongoing crisis, but the far-right president has maintained his stance against the closure, saying Brazil is exacerbating such poverty.

Despite the recent high infection rates, some Brazilians have protested against local and local COVID-19 closure measures that should stop the spread of the virus.

On Tuesday, the Brazilian Supreme Court refused to hear Bolsonaro's appeal against several coronavirus-related measures that restrict economic activity, according to a document seen by the Reuters news agency.

Queiroga told reporters last week that he intends to follow Bolsonaro's plan to fight the virus.

"Minister Pazuello has worked hard to improve the health conditions in Brazil, and I have been asked by President Bolsonaro to continue this work," he said last week.

Brazilian authorities last month launched a preliminary investigation into Bolsonaro and Pazuello over their handling of a crisis in the city of Manaus, which is depleting the oxygen supply amid an increase in infections earlier this year.

The vaccine distribution scheme in the country is also plagued by inefficiencies, which have angered the public.

The Fiocruz Institute, which manufactures the AstraZeneca vaccine, said on Tuesday it would deliver just 18.8 million plug-in tubes in April, up from an initial forecast of 30 million.

Only 2.6 percent of Brazilian adults have received two doses so far, according to a Fiocruz survey, while 7.6 percent of the population, or 12.1 million people, have received one sting.

Brazilian officials also said that oxygen for coronavirus patients was at six alarming levels in six of the country's 27 countries.

Meanwhile, Dr Carissa Etienne, the World Health Organization director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), warned that 'the virus will continue to increase dangerously in Brazil'.

Cases and deaths are on the rise, and ICU bed occupancy is very high in many countries. It is critical for all Brazilians to put in place preventive measures to delay the transmission of the virus. It can save your life and the closest to your lives, 'she said during a press conference.