Drone video shows extent of COVID-19 in Brazil

While a few countries around the world are starting to recover from COVID-19, many are still just at the beginning of a difficult time. Drone footage taken in São Paulo, Brazil, has captured the massive affect COVID-19 is having on the Brazilian population, with cemeteries digging mass graves to accommodate the mounting deaths.

As of today, Brazil has an estimated 365,000 confirmed cases, with around 150,000 recoveries. To date, Brazil has just under 23,000 deaths, the second-highest national total behind the United States. São Paulo Mayor Bruno Covas says that all the public hospitals could reach capacity by the end of May.

The burials begin

A drone video shared at the end of last month shows the frightening reality of COVID-19 in countries struggling to deal with the virus. The video shows the Vila Formosa cemetery in São Paulo receiving new coffins being buried every day. The cemetery has seen an average of around 100 burials per day — up from 30 per day before the virus struck.

Before the burials

This video uploaded to the Ruptly YouTube channel at the beginning of April shows the mass graves being prepared for an increase in burials and mostly empty. São Paulo had already seen an increase in burials of people with coronavirus-like symptoms at this stage.

Drones and COVID-19

Drones have been present throughout the global pandemic, with some saying that this demonstrates how truly useful drones are. Recently, the University of California San Diego (UCSD) developed a disinfecting drone with UV-C lights. Many countries are using drones to disinfect public areas, along with monitoring busy areas to ensure people are following social distancing rules.

• University lab develops disinfecting drone with UV-C lights
• Colombia drones seek out people with fever
• Disinfection drone sprays down sports arenas
• COVID-19 could be a boon for the drone industry

Photo: CGTN