Brazil passes 200,000 COVID-19 deaths, 2nd most in world

Then big festivities kicked off after the Southern Hemispheres summer started Dec 21.While many countries imposed new restrictions to limit the spread of the virus in mid-December, Brazils government gave its blessing for holiday fun in the sun.

Brazil passed 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic Thursday. That is the second highest total in the world.

The health ministry said the country had 1,524 deaths in the previous 24 hours, rising to a total of 200,498 for the pandemic.

The milestone was reached as Brazilians are once again crowding their beaches.

Many Brazilians have been straining against quarantine for months, going to bars or small gatherings with friends, but massive blowouts had been few and far between since the pandemic began. Then big festivities kicked off after the Southern Hemisphere's summer started Dec 21.

While many countries imposed new restrictions to limit the spread of the virus in mid-December, Brazil's government gave its blessing for holiday fun in the sun.