Prognosis

Brazil Passes India for Second-Highest Covid Case Toll in World

Infections are surging in Latin America’s largest nation
Steady decline of cases in India has puzzled scientists

Demonstrators gather during a protest against the lockdown in front of the the home of Ibaneis Rocha, governor of the Federal District, in Brasilia, Brazil, on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021.Photographer: Andre Borges/Bloomberg

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By Rachel Gamarski, Caroline Aragaki, and Chris Kay

March 12, 2021 at 9:14 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Brazil surpassed India in coronavirus infections, retaking the post of second hardest-hit country in the world, as it rushes to contain the spread of the virus that’s wreaking havoc across the vast Latin American nation.

The country reported 85,663 new cases on Friday, pushing the total to 11,363,380. The number of deaths rose by 2,216, bringing the tally to 275,105. Now, Brazil trails only the U.S. in deaths and infections globally.