In Brazil, the mortality rate due to coronavirus per 100,000 inhabitants reached 273.4 | Photo: EFE

Brasilia, August 23 (RHC)-- Brazil is approaching the figure of 575,000 deaths while accounting for 20.5 million cases of coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.

According to data from the National Council of Health Secretaries (Conass) in the last 24 hours 318 deaths and 14,404 infections were reported, bringing the South American country's total to 574,527 deaths and 20,570,891 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Authorities and health institutions warn that the actual number of deaths and coronavirus infections should be even higher, due in part to the lack of mass testing.  The mortality rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 273.4 in Brazil, the fifth highest in the world.

The infection rate per 100,000 people is 9,789 cases of Covid-19, according to data from the Ministry of Health.  The Brazilian state of Sao Paulo is the most affected by the pandemic with 144,216 deaths and 4,212,611 positive cases, followed by Rio de Janeiro with 61,388 deaths and 1,106,424 infections. 

As of the weekend, Brazil had vaccinated 177.2 million people, among them 122.3 million have received the first dose and 54.8 million with the two doses or single dose, according to the media count.