SAO PAULO, Brazil, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Four people aged over 70 died on Friday from COVID-19 in Brazil, raising the country's death toll from the disease to 11.
The Sao Paulo state government reported that the victims were three men aged 70, 80, and 83 and a woman aged 83, who died in private hospitals in the state capital of Sao Paulo.
Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria announced on Friday that as of Saturday, all city and state parks in Sao Paulo will be closed, including Ibirapuera Park, which attracts around a million visitors on weekends.
He ordered on Wednesday the closure of shopping malls in the metropolitan region until April 30, in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Sao Paulo, which has reported 60 percent of Brazil's COVID-19 cases, has declared a state of emergency, which will allow for a faster distribution of the state's resources.
The state is home to around 44 million people and generates a third of Brazil's gross domestic product.
Doria called on citizens to stay at home, especially those aged dover 60.
Sao Paulo, the largest city in the country, has banned restaurants and bars from serving customers in-house, although they can provide take-outs or deliveries to homes.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries, and gas stations will be allowed to remain open until April 5.
Pacaembu Stadium, one of the stadiums used in the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and the Anhembi exhibition center, one of the largest in South America, have offered spaces for field hospitals.
