No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica adds 19 new coronavirus cases

Costa Rica adds 19 new coronavirus cases

Costa Rica has confirmed 435 total cases of the novel coronavirus, the Health Ministry announced Saturday afternoon.

The figure marks a 19-person increase over the same time Friday.

Twenty-five people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 — 13 of them in intensive care. The age range of patients in intensive care is from 24 to 85 years old.

The Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS, or Caja) says the country has 140 intensive care beds, and about 80% are typically occupied — meaning there’s a limited capacity to respond to a sudden rise in critical COVID-19 patients.

Costa Rica coronavirus cases
Tico Times graph.

Costa Rica’s specialized center for the care of patients with coronavirus, which can accommodate low- and medium-complexity cases, is currently treating two patients.

Two elderly adults have died after contracting COVID-19, and 13 people have recovered — two more than Friday — meaning Costa Rica has 420 active cases.

The 435 total cases are located 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.

Expanded driving restrictions continue

An expanded set of measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 during Semana Santa began Friday evening.

Until April 7, a nighttime vehicular restriction will be enforced from 5 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following morning. A nationwide daytime (5 a.m. to 5 p.m.) vehicle restriction is also in place based on the last digit of a vehicle’s license plate:

  • Plates ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 are restricted on Saturday and Monday.
  • Plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 are restricted on Sunday and Tuesday.

Click here for more details, and visit La Restricción for specific information based on your license plate.

Violators will be fined 110,400 colones (about $190) and have their vehicle’s license plates removed.

Additionally, many commercial businesses closed starting at 5 p.m. Friday. Click here for a list of exceptions (or visit the Health Ministry for official communications).

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

Trending Now

Strange Balloon-Like Object Spotted Over Costa Rica

A mysterious white object seen high above several parts of Costa Rica over the weekend triggered a new round of speculation online, with residents...

Costa Rica Races to Preserve Its Indigenous Languages

Several of Costa Rica’s Indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing as the number of fluent speakers declines and younger generations increasingly grow up...

Gunmen Storm Costa Rica Hospital and Kill Patient in Nicoya

Two masked gunmen forced their way into a public hospital in Guanacaste early Saturday and shot a patient to death as he lay on...

Costa Rica Reopens Immigration Category for 10,000 Rejected Asylum Seekers

Costa Rica's immigration agency expects to regularize about 10,000 people under a special category reopening to applications on September 1.

Why the Cincinnati Open Is the Last Major Test Before the US Open

The Cincinnati Open begins opening its grounds to fans this weekend, but for the players arriving in Mason, Ohio, the tournament carries considerably more...

Costa Rica Taxi Drivers Push for Digital Meters to Modernize Service

Costa Rica’s traditional taxi industry is proposing a nationwide digital meter system that would allow fares to be calculated and recorded electronically, an effort...

Costa Rica’s Water Squeeze Is Changing What Property Buyers Check First

If you are looking to buy land in Costa Rica, the document that will decide your purchase is not the title study. It is...

New Coral Species Found Off Costa Rica Gets a Name From Tolkien’s Elvish

A bright yellow coral found on seamounts off Costa Rica was so distinct that scientists created an entirely new family for it, then named it in Tolkien's Elvish.

Is Panama the New Costa Rica? A 2026 Expat & Real Estate Investor Comparison

For decades, Costa Rica was the undisputed poster child of Central American expat life. However, a quiet reshuffling of priorities is underway, and a...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel