Brazil coronavirus cases spike

Brazil on Wednesday reported at least 10,503 new coronavirus cases and 615 deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the country’s health minister Nelson Teich.

To date, coronavirus infection toll in Brazil reached at least 125,218 cases a long with 8,536 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Brazil currently has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Latin America, and its President Jair Bolsonaro has faced criticism for downplaying the threat of the pandemic.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly attended large political rallies demanding an end to quarantine measures in the country.

Brazil president spokesman tests positive for coronavirus

Bolsonaro’s official spokesman, Otávio Santana do Rêgo Barros, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement released by his office on Wednesday.

Rêgo Barros tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, the statement read.

His team told CNN the results were confirmed on Tuesday and that he is recovering in his home.

According to the statement, Rêgo Barros wasn’t displaying “any symptoms that should raise any concern.”