COVID-19 in Brazil: evolution of the epidemic up until epidemiological week 20 of 2020

Objective to describe the evolution of COVID-19 in Brazil up until epidemiological week 20 of 2020. Methods this is an ecological study based on data and official documents from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and international organizations; comparisons were made between Brazil and other countries and incidence and mortality rates were calculated. Results by the end of epidemiological week 20, 233,142 cases, and 15,633 deaths had been confirmed for Brazil as a whole and 3,240 (58.2%) of the country's municipalities had reported at least one case; Brazil was at an earlier phase of the pandemic when compared to other countries, except Russia and Turkey, regarding cumulative cases, and except Canada regarding cumulative deaths; the highest rates were found in Brazil's Northern Region states, where Amazonas state had the highest incidence rates(4,474.6/1,000,000) and mortality rates (331.8/1,000,000). Conclusion Brazil is one of the countries with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths, with marked regional differences.