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

Middle East War Escalates as Iran Targets Gulf States

Israel bombed Tehran and pushed ground troops into Lebanon, while Iran struck the US embassy in Riyadh with drones and hit targets across several...

Home Invasion Forces Canadian Visitors to Leave Costa Rica

A Canadian couple from Nanaimo shared details of an armed home invasion that cut their vacation in Costa Rica short. Louise Fleming and Drew...

Nations Revive Plastic Treaty Hopes After Tokyo Talks Signal Progress

Delegates from key nations wrapped up three days of informal discussions in Tokyo on Tuesday, describing the sessions as constructive steps toward reviving a...

Venezuela Reports 475% Inflation as Reforms Begin

Venezuelan inflation soared to 475 percent in 2025, the highest in the world, driven by a tightening of US sanctions in the lead up...

Sloths and Tapir Among Animals Saved in Costa Rica Anti-Trafficking Operation

Costa Rican authorities rescued five sloths and other wild animals in an anti-trafficking operation in the Northern Zone. The Deputy Environmental Prosecutor's Office led...

Costa Rica Women March for Democracy and Rights on International Women’s Day

Women and supporters march in downtown San José today to observe International Women's Day and voice demands for greater rights and protections. The 8M...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica