Covid Manaus – The Perfect Storm
Manaus, in Brazil, suffered one of the world’s most devastating outbreaks. Now, epidemiologists want to know why.
On April 10 Francisco da Silva Nascimento was the first to be buried here. Within three days the 63-year-old was joined by 102 others; by April 16 that figure had more than doubled to 250.
From there a sea of wooden blue crosses multiplied as the virus spread like wildfire across an isolated city caught off-guard. Dates, names and numbers painted onto the wood in thick black lettering are a sober record of just how quickly fatalities mounted.
By April 20, 524 people were buried in the tawny earth; on May 5 that figure stood at 1,018. In total, close to 2,000 coronavirus victims are in this graveyard alone.
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Mourning at the grave of Iris Goncalves Alves who died aged 54.
Dr Alessandra said collects a Covid patient from a community health clinic.
Janete Oliveira, manager of the UNICEF shelter for the Venezuelan Warao indigenous community.
UNICEF shelter for the Venezuelan Warao indigenous community in Manaus
Manaus port
Manaus
Maria Alice and Kathleen Ribero who are looking after their grandmother in isolation. Livermento Village, Rio Negra.
A relative calls a patient in Delphina Aziz hospital.
Parque Tarum cemetery, a grim reminder of what can happen if Covid-19 spreads uncontrolled.
A patient in the ICU ward at Delphina Aziz hospital.
Shaman Diakara Dessana makes anti Covid medications.
Mourning at the grave of Iris Goncalves Alves who died aged 54.
Indigenous community leader Joilson Karapana in the school that he and his wife run. Parque dos Tribos, Manaus.
Dr Alessandro Said, transporting a Covid patient to hospital.
Gravedigger Ulisses Xavier buried upwards of 100 people in a single day at Parque Tarum cemetery.
Preparing for a burial, Parque Tarum cemetery.
Lines of customers queue for government financial assistance outside Caixa Bank, Manaus.
Patients in Delphina Aziz hospital.