People wearing face masks are seen at a subway station in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Jan. 28, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
The Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, the largest grain producer in the country, announced on Sunday that its hospital network has begun to collapse, as there is a lack of intensive care beds due to the increasing number of patients suffering from COVID-19.

The health authorities of Mato Grosso said in a statement that 59 patients needing intensive care beds have been turned away from the state's hospitals, and the state has asked other areas to treat the patients.

Mato Grosso is the third state after Santa Catarina and Minas Gerais to request the transfer of patients with COVID-19 out of state due to the lack of hospital beds amid the newest wave of infections.

Over the last two weeks, deaths from the virus in Mato Grosso have increased by 28 percent, according to officials.

As of Sunday, Mato Grosso had registered 258,929 cases of COVID-19 and 5,886 deaths, while Brazil reached 11 million cases, with over 265,000 deaths.