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

My Twice Yearly Parasite Routine in Costa Rica

Intestinal parasites are my companion in Costa Rica. Every six months or so I make a trip to the pharmacy and ask for pastillas...

Guanacaste Leads Coastal Recovery in Costa Rica Real Estate

Costa Rica’s real estate market heads into 2026 with steady footing after recent adjustments in high-end coastal areas. Buyers and investors find a landscape...

Jimmy Fallon’s Papagayo Getaway Boosts Costa Rica Luxury Tourism

Comedian and late-night host Jimmy Fallon wrapped up 2025 with a family trip to Costa Rica, choosing the Papagayo Peninsula for a mix of...

The Palmares 2026 Festival is Costa Rica’s biggest January Event

For first time visitors, the Fiestas de Palmares can feel like several Costa Rican traditions stacked into one place. It is part town fair,...

Costa Rica’s Nosara Highlighted in Forbes Top 10 Adventure Spots

Costa Rica has earned a spot on Forbes' list of top 10 adventure travel destinations for 2026, with Nosara in Guanacaste standing out for...

Costa Rica Police Raid Dismantles Teen Extortion Ring Targeting Rivals

Costa Rica Police arrested two teenagers on Thursday morning in Betania de Siquirres after a months-long probe into a small but aggressive extortion operation....
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica