Jorge Luis Pereira da Silva, 54, who died from COVID-19, at the Campo da Esperanca cemetery in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
The nation had an average of 2,235 deaths a day last week the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.
In recent weeks, Latin Americaโs largest country has become the pandemicโs global epicenter, with more deaths from the virus each day than in any other nation.
Tuesdayโs record toll of 3,251 deaths was driven by the state of Sao Paulo, Brazilโs most populous, which recorded 1,021 new deaths, far above the previous high of 713 last July.
On Tuesday, cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga was sworn in as health minister, becoming the fourth person to occupy the post since the beginning of the health crisis.