This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
As of June 21, 2020, Brazil has become the second country to surpass 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, with a total of 1,032,913 cases and 48,954 deaths reported.
The country's health ministry reported a record 54,771 new cases on Friday, bringing the nationwide total to over 1 million.
Despite the grim milestone, President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay the threat of the virus, questioning global medical authorities and accusing opponents of trying to discredit his leadership.
Experts warn that the number of cases could surpass the United States, making Brazil the country worst hit by the virus.
Blue and white crosses mark the dead in mass graves in Manaus, Brazil, a visual reminder of the toll the novel coronavirus has had on the country.
At first, Brazil seemed impervious to the virus, but cases began to quickly spread across the country, with over 15,000 cases and 800 deaths confirmed by April 8.
President Bolsonaro frequently butted heads with mayors and governors of some of the hardest hit places by Covid-19, ultimately firing Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta on April 16.
