COVID-19 in Brazil: Evolution of the epidemic up until epidemiological week 20 of 2020

Abstract

Objective: to describe the evolution of COVID-19 in Brazil up until epidemiological week 20 of 2020. Methods: this is an ecological study based on data and official documents from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and international organizations; comparisons were made between Brazil and other countries and incidence and mortality rates were calculated. Results: by the end of epidemiological week 20, 233,142 cases, and 15,633 deaths had been confirmed for Brazil as a whole and 3,240 (58.2%) of the country’s municipalities had reported at least one case; Brazil was at an earlier phase of the pandemic when compared to other countries, except Russia and Turkey, regarding cumulative cases, and except Canada regarding cumulative deaths; the highest rates were found in Brazil’s Northern Region states, where Amazonas state had the highest incidence rates(4,474.6/1,000,000) and mortality rates (331.8/1,000,000). Conclusion: Brazil is one of the countries with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths, with marked regional differences.