Cases and deaths related to coronavirus in all regions increasing faster than anywhere in the world. And in the hardest hit countries, they show no signs of slowing down. This region has recorded nearly 1.2 million cases and more than 60,000 deaths.

Following are outbreaks in the three hardest hit countries in Latin America, which account for around 60% of the region’s population. And there are success stories too.

Brazil

The country has recorded at least 645,771 cases of corona virus and 35,026 deaths.

It has recently passed Italy to become the third highest fatality country in the world and is likely to soon surpass England.

That means Brazil will have the second most cases and deaths in the world, only in the United States.

It should be noted, however, that Brazil is testing at a much lower rate than the US. That means many cases are not registered.

In the most populous state of São Paulo, the Ministry of Health coordinator said several cases of coronavirus might have been noted as severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, due to the low Covid-19 testing capacity of the country.

A study released this week by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul said Brazil would record 1 million cases and 50,000 deaths on June 20.

Meanwhile, several major Brazilian cities began to reopen. Rio de Janeiro allows non-essential businesses such as churches, car shops and decoration shops to receive customers once again.

Mexico

First, Mexico recorded its worst week of outbreaks, both in confirmed cases and deaths.

It recorded more than 1,000 deaths in one day for the first time. And for three consecutive days, this recorded a one-day high in a new case.

Despite gloomy figures, and conflicting messages from government leaders, officials have pushed ahead with plans for a gradual reopening across the country.

Deputy Health Secretary Hugo López Gatell, who led Mexico’s Covid-19 response, urged Mexicans to stay home. He stressed that the country did not come out of the forest, even if some economic sectors began to reopen.

But President Andrés Manuel López Obrador offers a different message.

“Don’t steal, don’t rob, don’t betray, and that helps a lot by not getting a coronavirus,” he said on Thursday. He also tells people to be socially distanced when they can, and wash their hands.

AMLO, as the President is generally known, went out of Mexico City on Monday for the first time since the end of March.

He toured the Yucatán Peninsula and inaugurated the development called Maya Train, an ambitious infrastructure project that would connect cities in five southeastern states.

Mexico has recorded 110,026 cases and 13,170 deaths. But given the very low level of testing in the country, health officials say the actual number of cases is likely to reach millions.

Peruvian

One person told CNN TVPerú Noticias affiliate that oxygen prices doubled. And the government now recognizes that there is a problem.

“Our mission is to avoid the development of commercial black markets and use pandemics to harass people,” said Cesar Chaname, a spokesman for Peru’s public health agency.

Peru continues to wrestle with one of the worst outbreaks in Latin America, 187,400 of which are the second highest in the region behind Brazil.

This country has a much better level of testing than other countries in the region, something experts say helps understand how bad the plague is.

But even with that knowledge, economic victims have pressured the authorities to reopen the economy.

This week officials announced Peru would enter Phase 2 of the reopening plan, where businesses such as clothing stores and hair salons could operate again.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra said the move meant around 80% of the economy would soon be opened.

“We cannot support 100% of the country’s needs with only 50% of economic output,” he said.

Uruguay

Apart from the brutal situation faced by many countries in Latin America, there are some success stories too. Consider Uruguay, so far with one of the most successful Covid-19 responses in the world.

A country of about 3.5 million people borders Brazil, where the worst outbreak in Latin America has had a devastating effect.

But Uruguay only recorded 834 cases. It has recorded one death since May 24 and a total of 23 deaths.

Experts say the reasons for the country’s success are many – strong initial responses including quarantine measures, a large and efficient system for tracking and isolating those infected, random testing and the formation of a crisis response committee.

As a result, there is little risk because Uruguay is starting to reopen its economy.

The country began to relax restrictions in early May. On June 1, rural primary and secondary education resumed at more than 400 schools, and businesses were also gradually being reopened.