Rio braces for coronavirus risk during Carnival party
Will Rio Carnival bring coronavirus to South America? A million tourists from around the world are set to arrive in Brazil where conditions are ripe for spreading the disease
- Health workers are being trained how to spot the virus in suspected patients
- There are more than 60,000 coronavirus cases in 27 countries around the world
- So far there are no cases in South America but 34 Brazilians are in quarantine
The Rio Carnival could bring the first cases of the deadly coronavirus to South America as a million tourists descend on the Brazilian city from around the world.
Officials in Rio de Janeiro are preparing for an outbreak by freeing up 120 hospital beds and training health workers how to spot symptoms of the highly contagious disease.
They are also practicing how to quickly apply face masks to potential patients while themselves slipping into protective plastic suits ahead of the six-day carnival that starts on Friday next week.
Revelers take part in the ‘Banda de Ipanema’ street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last Saturday. Thousands have started attending the popular street parties ahead of the world’s famous carnival festival that begins on February 21
Thousands have already started attending street parties ahead of the main event which is considered the biggest carnival in the world and sees around two million people on the streets every day.
There are now more than 60,000 coronavirus cases in 27 countries around the world, but so far there are none in South America.
A group of 34 Brazilians evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, are being held in quarantine at a military base but none have been confirmed as carriers.
Patricia Guttman, a municipal health official, told Reuters: ‘It’s worrying because there are a lot of people moving around and a lot of tourists coming into the country from all parts of the world.’
She added: ‘We’re ready for Carnival.’
There are now more than 60,000 coronavirus cases in 27 countries around the world, but so far there are none so far in South America
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