No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica inaugurates coronavirus-specific hospital; total cases reach 347

Costa Rica inaugurates coronavirus-specific hospital; total cases reach 347

Costa Rica on Tuesday inaugurated a medical center that will exclusively treat patients with COVID-19.

The facilities were created in less than two weeks by remodeling the National Rehabilitation Center (CENARE) in San José. They will house patients who test positive for COVID-19 who require hospitalization and specialized care.

CENARE was retrofitted with a new fiber optic network to support telemedicine, a remote monitoring system and other medical equipment — including ventilators and portable radiograph machines — to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

The CENARE facility can house 44 patients, and its capacity will be doubled over the next two days, according to President Carlos Alvarado.

“We worked 24/7 for 11 days,” said Román Macaya, president of the Costa Rican Social Security System. “It’s part of our investment of more than $16 million to face this pandemic.”

Fifteen people in Costa Rica are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, but health authorities said they expect that number to rise over the coming weeks.

“Our health system is capable of uniting to create additional capacity to eventually use if necessary,” said Health Minister Daniel Salas. “We are also capable, as a society, to follow the recommendations of health authorities to limit how much we need to use a facility like this.”

Costa Rica confirms 347 cases of coronavirus

Costa Rica has confirmed 347 cases of the novel coronavirus, the Health Ministry announced Tuesday afternoon.

The figure marks a 17-person increase over the same time Monday.

In addition, 15 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 — eight of them in intensive care. The age range of those in intensive care is from 36 to 69 years old, according to the Health Ministry.

Costa Rica coronavirus cases
Tico Times graph.

Two elderly adults have died after contracting COVID-19, and four people have recovered — meaning Costa Rica has 341 active cases.

The 347 total cases are located in 52 cantons across all seven of Costa Rica’s provinces.

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

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

Official COVID-19 (coronavirus) data for Costa Rica.
Via the Health Ministry.

Trending Now

Keylor Navas Joins Pumas UNAM in Major Liga MX Transfer

Keylor Navas has agreed to become the new goalkeeper for Pumas UNAM, marking one of the biggest signings in recent Liga MX history. The...

Costa Rica Rescues Endangered Amphibians and Turtles in Store Bust

The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), through its Specialized Section Against Environmental Crimes, carried out an operation at a store in Vázquez de Coronado, San...

Costa Rica Fails to Meet Human Rights Standards for Deportees

The Ombudsman's Office has confirmed that Costa Rica was unprepared to provide adequate care for deportees who have entered the country since February. This...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Park Reopening to Tourists With Safety Measures

The Poás Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to tourism starting July 30, after  scientific entities reported a decrease in volcanic activity. This was...

Venezuela Accuses El Salvador of Torturing Deported Migrants From U.S.

Sexual abuse, daily beatings, rotten food: The government of Nicolás Maduro on Monday denounced “torture” against Venezuelan migrants sent by the United States to...

Costa Rica Tops Latin America in Attracting Foreign Millionaires

Costa Rica is a country that attracts millionaires. Projections indicate that by the end of 2025, a total of 350 foreign millionaires will have...
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