BOGOTA, April 17 -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro fired Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta after the two clashed for several weeks about the need for isolation measures in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Anadolu Agency reported.
"I have just heard the news from President Jair Bolsonaro about my dismissal from the Ministry of Health. I am thankful for the opportunity I was given," Mandetta tweeted Thursday.
The move is not a surprise to Brazilians who had become used to seeing the two officials disagree about what steps the country should take.
Mandetta insisted on adopting widespread social isolation measures but Bolsonaro opposed, asserting the outbreak is being blown out of proportion and the moves are unnecessary and economically harmful.
The decision to fire Mandetta involves enormous health and political risks as Brazil is expected to enter its peak of the pandemic within days.
As of Thursday evening, Brazil reported 30,425 COVID-19 cases and 1,924 deaths, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.
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