Brazil calls in doctors from Cuba to help battle COVID-19

Brazil has surpassed Britain and now has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the world. More than a quarter of a million Brazilians have been infected, and nearly 17,000 have died. The government is calling in doctors from Cuba to help.

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AFTER HAVING KICKED THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he will sign off on a federal aid scheme for states and cities hit by the coronavirus outbreak "as soon as possible."

However, as a condition, he also asked governors for support to freeze public sector pay increases. Brazil's Congress approved a bill to distribute 60 billion reais ($10.72 billion) in federal money to states and municipalities earlier this month.

The president is yet to sign off on the program amid pressure from Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, an avid free-marketeer who has been calling more fiscal austerity.

Bolsonaro is under increasing pressure over how he has dealt with the outbreak, which threatens to destroy the Brazilian economy and harm his hopes of re-election.

Brazil looks set to have the second-highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases after the United States in the coming days.

Almost 19,000 Brazilians have died from the pandemic so far, with 291,579 confirmed cases of COVID-19. It's thought that the true number of infections and deaths could be much higher as Brazil has not carried out widespread testing.

Bolsonaro's relationship with governors and mayors has deteriorated significantly amid the pandemic, with the president angry over the introduction of shutdowns, arguing that avoiding harm to the economy is more important. He has chewed through two health ministers in a matter of weeks, with the crucial post currently filled only on an interim basis