VIDEO: Brazil Coronavirus Deaths Hit 1,188 In 24-Hours, Increasing Rapidly

Brazil risks being overwhelmed by Coronavirus outbreak as it registered 1,188 deaths in 24-hours, its highest one-day toll.

20,047 people have reportedly died from Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Brazil so far and the health ministry said on Thursday that 1,188 deaths were recorded over the previous 24-hour period.

Brazil, the epicentre of the pandemic in Latin America, has now recorded more than 310,000 confirmed cases – but experts say a lack of testing means the real figures are probably much higher, Aljazeera reported.

With its curve of infections and deaths rising sharply, the country of 210 million ranks third in the world in terms of total cases, behind the United States and Russia.

The death toll – the sixth highest in the world – has doubled in just 11 days, according to ministry data.

Death rate of #covid19 in Brazil is increasing rapidly.

🎥: @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/2Cew9Naqap

— Laila Ijeoma | Lailasnews.com (@LailaIjeoma) May 23, 2020

According to Time, Brazil’s skeptical president, millions of citizens refusing to socially isolate themselves and an overburdened healthcare system are among the factors that are turning Brazil into the next coronavirus epicenter, and perhaps one of the worst affected countries in the world.

“My concern is that Brazil is going to be a new epicenter of COVID-19,” Miguel Nicolelis, one of the most respected scientists in Brazil who is coordinating a committee to tackle the virus, tells TIME.

“Despite the very serious problems in the U.S., the exponential curve of cases and deaths in Brazil suggests we are not even close to our peak yet.”