Prognosis

Workers at Latin America’s Biggest Port Start to Fall Ill

  • At least three Brazil terminals had Covid-19 cases recently
  • Virus affects Santos port workers at a time of surging exports

Workers move bags on a dock at the Port of Santos in Santos, Brazil in 2017.

Photographer: Dado Galdieri/Bloomberg
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Brazilian port workers are starting to fall ill as the coronavirus pandemic reaches one of Latin America’s busiest shipping hubs.

At least three privately-run terminals that handle soybeans, corn, sugar and coffee at the Santos port in Brazil have registered two cases each of Covid-19 in the past two weeks, according to people with direct knowledge. Container terminal operator Santos Brasil had one worker test positive Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer Antonio Carlos Sepulvedasaid by telephone.