Brazil hosts the Copa América amid controversy 2:43
(CNN) -
Brazil recorded nearly 80,000 new daily COVID-19 infections and thousands of virus-related deaths on Saturday, a day before the continent's largest soccer tournament begins at the national team level.
Brazil's Ministry of Health reported 78,700 new cases of covid-19 on Saturday, bringing the total number reported during the pandemic to 17,374,818.
The country also reported 2,037 additional deaths from Covid-19 on Saturday, increasing the country's death toll to 486,272, one of the highest in the world.
Brazil approves the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine for people over 12 years of age
This is the fourth consecutive day that the country reports daily numbers of cases above 78,000 and daily deaths of more than 2,000.
The Copa América is scheduled to begin this Sunday and last for a month, when it ends on July 13 at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Copa América: Brazil, the great candidate 2:15
On Saturday it was revealed that 12 members of Venezuela's national soccer team tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Brasilia ahead of the opening of the Copa América.
The competition is scheduled to begin on Sunday with a match between Venezuela and Brazil in that same city.
Credit: Mario Tama / Getty Images
Five players from the Venezuelan national team are among those who tested positive and will not be able to play.
The others who tested positive are staff members.
advertising
All the details of the Copa América 2:22
Brazil's Supreme Court voted Thursday to go ahead with the soccer tournament, ruling against three objections filed against Brazil as host of the tournament on concerns that it would further spike Covid-19 cases.
Rio de Janeiro.
Credit: Mario Tama / Getty Images
America Cup