Hospitals in Brazil under strain as ICU wards in largest cities near capacity

Researchers warn of possible collapse of health system

10 March 2021 - 14:15 By Tatiana Bautzer

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Rio de Janeiro-based research institute Fiocruz said a growing number of cities risk a collapse of their health systems.
Image: REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Brazil registered 1,972 new Covid-19 deaths in a single day on Tuesday - a record, according to the health ministry.

The country had 70,764 new cases of coronavirus, reaching a total of 11.1 million infections. Brazil had a total of 168,370 coronavirus deaths.

Rio de Janeiro-based research institute Fiocruz said in a report on Tuesday that more than 80% of intensive care unit (ICU) beds are occupied in the capitals of 25 of Brazil's 27 states.

In 15 of Brazil's largest cities, 90% of ICU beds occupied.

The institute said a growing number of cities faced a possible collapse of their health systems.

Reuters