The South American nation reached the mark on Tuesday, and it's only behind the US in fatalities provoked by the pandemic in the Americas. India currently is the worst-hit country in the world.

The new figure comes after the country reported more than 100,000 deaths in 36 days. Experts warn that these numbers could rise as winter approaches in the southern hemisphere.

However, sources consulted by the BBC Brazil correspondent assure these numbers are likely to be higher due to the collapse of the health system in some states, or due to deaths in poor neighbourhoods that are not included in the official statistics.