No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica surpasses 200 known cases of coronavirus

Costa Rica surpasses 200 known cases of coronavirus

Costa Rica has confirmed 201 cases of the novel coronavirus, the Health Ministry announced Wednesday afternoon.

The figure marks a 24-person increase over the same time Tuesday. Six people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, and four of them are in intensive care.

After confirming its first case of COVID-19 on March 6, it took 14 days for Costa Rica to reach 100 cases. Costa Rica surpassed 200 known cases just five days later.

Costa Rica coronavirus cases
Tico Times graph.

The 201 cases comprise 183 Costa Ricans and 18 foreigners across 39 cantons in all seven of the country’s provinces. Eight patients are undergoing tests that could clear them as recovered, said Daniel Salas, Minister of Health.

Below is a map of cantons with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Click on a blue marker for more information:

Later this week, the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS, or Caja) is expected to open a medical center specializing in COVID-19 at the National Rehabilitation Center (CENARE) in San José. In preparation for an increase of cases, the Caja is also seeking hoteliers who would be willing to house stable patients who need to be quarantined.

Salas said the national reference lab at INCIENSA has the capacity to complete 150 tests for COVID-19 each day, while labs at Caja hospitals now have a similar throughput. Costa Rica is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) to obtain more tests, Salas said.

Public Security Minister Michael Soto said authorities issued 159 tickets overnight to drivers who did not obey Costa Rica’s new restrictions. The regulation, which bans most vehicles between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., will continue indefinitely as a measure to reduce nonessential travel.

The Ministry of Health continues to ask people of all ages to remain home whenever possible and practice social distancing.

“We can’t have health authorities following everyone,” Salas said. “We all need to be responsible. We all need to work together.”

If you believe you may have contracted COVID-19 or have questions regarding the coronavirus, contact Costa Rican health authorities by dialing 1322.

“We will not make a distinction if you are insured or not insured,” said Román Macaya, President of CCSS. “This is an issue of national importance.”

This is a developing story and is being updated. 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Replaces One-Lane Bridges as Traffic and Population Grow

As the infrastructure of Costa Rica advances, with new four-lane highways and a series of bypasses around San José that avoid the narrow, congested...

Honduras agrees to receive migrants under new US deportation agreement

The US has signed a new deportation agreement with Honduras, allowing officials to send migrants from other countries there instead of keeping them in...

Costa Rica’s Tourism Sector Alarmed Over Rising Violence and U.S. Criticism

Tourism leaders in Costa Rica are warning that rising crime and international criticism could damage the country’s reputation as one of Latin America’s safest...

Costa Rica’s Role in US Deportation Drama with Salvadoran Migrant

A Salvadoran man at the center of a heated US immigration battle could end up in Costa Rica if he accepts a guilty plea,...

Panama Union Files Lawsuits Against Chiquita Over Mass Layoffs

Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, will meet in Brazil with U.S. banana company Chiquita Brands in search of an agreement for the company to...

Guatemala Prisons Erupt in Violence With Guards and Workers Taken Hostage

Gang members rioted this Friday in two prisons in Guatemala and took several guards and civilian employees hostage, a week after uprisings in which...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica