Another horror day in Brazil marked by more than 1,000 new coronavirus deaths

Brazil's coronavirus death toll has jumped to 26,417 after a horror 24-hour period in which the South American nation recorded more than 1,000 deaths and 26,417 new cases.

A nurse checks vital signs of a woman infected by coronavirus (COVID-19) as she arrives at the Gilberto Novaes Municipal Field Hospital Source: Getty Images

Brazil registered a new record in COVID-19 cases and more than 1,000 dead in 24 hours, according to official figures out Thursday.

The South American country has the world's second-highest number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases - 438,238 - after the United States.

According to Health Ministry data, 26,417 new cases were confirmed in a 24 hour-period ending late Thursday.

President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro (R) Source: Getty Images

In that same period, Brazil experienced its third-highest number of virus deaths since the start of the pandemic: 1,156, bringing the total death toll to 26,754, the sixth highest in the world.

Some experts, however, believe that the actual virus infection rate could be up to 15 times higher because there has been no widespread testing in Brazil.

The virus is spreading as federal and local authorities clash over health policies.

Most states have imposed partial lockdowns, but President Jair Bolsonaro wants them to end and for the economy to open quickly.