Some scientists said over 1 million in Brazil are probably infected. The country is heading into winter, which can worsen respiratory illnesses.

Ignoring the pleas of public health experts, President Jair Bolsonaro said he wants to keep the economy running, scoffing at the "hysteria" surrounding a virus he calls "a little flu."

Brazil's acting president announced austerity measures Tuesday aimed at pulling the country's economy from its worst crisis in decades, warning that a failure to act will mean "extraordinary hardship" for future generations.