Brazil prez says, he doesn't do miracles as virus burials surge

Bolsonaro has called COVID-19 "a little flu" and said sweeping state measures that have closed down all but essential businesses will cause economic damage far worse than allowing the disease to spread. Meanwhile, a cemetery in the worst-affected city Manaus was having to bury victims at night to meet demand after a jump of almost 500% compared to burials before the pandemic.

Manaus: President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday said that he doesn't do miracles after he was questioned about the fact that the number of coronavirus victims in the country surpassed China's.

Meanwhile, people in the worst-affected city Manaus continued to be buried and cremated. A cemetery in the city was having to bury victims at night to meet demand after a jump of almost 500% compared to before the pandemic.

The country has reported over 71,000 infections and 5,017 fatalities so far.

Bolsonaro, who had described the coronavirus as a "little flu" was dismissive when reporters questioned him outside his residence, the Alvorada Palace, on Tuesday night. "What do you want me to do," he answered, "I am Messias (his full name is Jair Messias Bolsonaro), but I don't do miracles," which prompted some of his supporters to laugh at his comments.

Bolsonaro had already come under fire for opposition to state efforts to control the rapidly spreading coronavirus.

The president said that sweeping state measures that have closed down all but essential businesses would cause economic damage far worse than allowing the disease to spread.

AP