Brazil takes down COVID-19 data, hiding soaring death toll

Mauro Pimentel / AFP

After facing severe criticism for downplaying the impact of the coronavirus, Brazil's health ministry removed all data linked to COVID-19 from the government website.

No explanation was given for erasing the data and replacing it with just fraction of the information earlier posted.

The total number of cases have been removed, with only the daily stats on display.

In a Tweet, President Jair Bolsonaro said the "cumulative data... does not reflect the moment the country is in".

"Other actions are underway to improve the reporting of cases and confirmation of diagnoses."

Bolsonaro has so far rejected lockdown measures and replaced health ministers with military officials.

The total number of cases in the country have reportedly crossed 672,000, with the death toll passing Italy this week at nearly 36,000.

More from International News

On Virgin Radio today

  • Non Stop Hits

    Midnight - 6:00am

    The UAE's #1 Hit Music Station with no interruptions

  • The Kris Fade Show

    6:00am - 10:00am

    Kris, Priti and Rossi host the UAE's biggest radio show. It's full of fun, laughs and it's Where The Stars Live.

Trending on Virgin Radio

  • Bassem Youssef

    One of the most talked about comedians in the world takes over The Kris Fade Show. Watch the full interview here...

  • Untold Dubai

    It arrived: The UAE's First Mega Music Festival at Expo City Dubai!

  • Jason Derulo on the Kris Fade Show!

    The super-star and multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, Jason Derulo is bringing the heat to Dubai.

  • The Kris Fade Show Podcast

    Not in the car so much while Kris, Priti and Rossi are on air? Check out the daily podcast here...