Covid-19: Brazil to get fourth health minister since pandemic began

Jair Bolsonaro has regularly downplayed the threat from the virus

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has announced he is appointing a new health minister - the fourth since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Marcelo Queiroga, a cardiologist, is to replace General Eduardo Pazuello, an army officer with no medical training.

It comes as the number of Covid-19-related deaths in Brazil approaches 280,000.

Brazil has the second highest number of infections and deaths in the world, behind the US.

Mr Bolsonaro has faced widespread criticism over his handling of the outbreak.

"It was decided now in the afternoon to appoint physician Marcelo Queiroga to the Ministry of Health," Mr Bolsonaro said in an address at the Alvorada presidential palace on Monday.

He said the transition process "should take one or two weeks".

Hours earlier, Gen Pazuello told reporters that the president was looking to replace him to "reorganise" the ministry.

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Mr Bolsonaro said he had had an "excellent" conversation with Mr Queiroga, adding: "He has everything in my opinion to do a good job, giving continuity in everything Pazuello did until today.

"From now on, we are going to a more aggressive phase regarding the fight against the virus."

Marcelo Queiroga takes office with Brazil's health systems under severe strain

Eduardo Pazuello was appointed as health minister in May - his two predecessors having fallen foul of Mr Bolsonaro by questioning his leadership.

BBC Latin America correspondent Will Grant says Gen Pazuello's handling of the crisis - as well as President Bolsonaro's - has generally been seen as woefully poor and misinformed. The two men have consistently played down the gravity of the virus, even as the number of coronavirus-related deaths in Brazil soared.

Infections have continued to surge, made worse by more contagious variants.

Last week the country exceeded 2,000 Covid-related deaths in a single day for the first time.

Brazil's health systems are reported to be close to collapse with intensive care units almost at full capacity in 15 state capitals.