Brazil opened 2021 with more than 22,000 infections and 445 new deaths from coronavirus.  

Brasilia, January 3 (RHC)-- According to the Ministry of Health of Brazil, the country opened 2021 with more than 22,000 infections and 445 new deaths from coronavirus.  Data from the National Council of Health Secretaries of Brazil (Conass) revealed that over the last 24 hours, 22,721 new infections of coronavirus were registered in the South American giant.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 7,698,694 cumulative cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Brazil and the number of deaths has risen to 195,394.  According to data from the Ministry of Health, 6,756,284 people have recovered from the coronavirus, which is 87.7 percent of the total number of people infected.

The state of Sao Paulo, with 46 million inhabitants, continues to be the Brazilian region with the most confirmed cases (1,466,191) and deaths (46,775).  Sao Paulo State authorities extended the so-called "red phase" of the pandemic, until February 1st, which includes the closure of some commercial activities and non-essential services.

Brazilian authorities have not yet defined the definitive vaccination schedule and which vaccines, of the four tested in the country, will be used to immunize the population.  Brazil is one of the three countries in the world most affected by the new coronavirus pandemic, along with the United States and India.