Social distancing in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis using the Stringency Index and Google Community Mobility Reports

Abstract

In late May, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the Americas have now become the epicentre of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with Latin America having passed Europe and the USA in number of daily confirmed cases.1 Within Latin America, Brazil is currently taking the lead with the highest number of cases and deaths in the region. Although COVID-19 is a growing ongoing issue in Brazil, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro does not seem very concerned with this major public health problem, having said 'So what?', when asked about the rapidly growing number of COVID-19 cases in the country.2.