Costa Rica dips below 400 active coronavirus cases :

Costa Rica confirmed eight new case of the coronavirus over the past day, totaling 705 known cases, the Health Ministry announced Tuesday afternoon.

Over the same period, 19 more people recovered from COVID-19, meaning Costa Rica has registered its twelfth-straight decrease in known active coronavirus cases.

Sixteen people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 and eight of them are in intensive care, with an age range from 49 to 76 years old.

One of Tuesday’s new cases was identified in a resident who lives at a home for the elderly in San José, health authorities said. The patient was hospitalized earlier this month due to low oxygen saturation levels but at the time tested negative for the coronavirus.

He has since tested positive, authorities said, and while he no longer requires medical care, he was transported to Costa Rica’s coronavirus-specific hospital for observation and isolation.

Six people have died after contracting COVID-19, and 306 people have recovered, leaving Costa Rica with 393 active cases. Tuesday is the country’s first day below 400 known active cases since April 2.

About half of Costa Rica’s known coronavirus cases are located in the province of San José, the country’s most populous. Below is a map of confirmed active cases by canton. Click on a blue marker for more information, including the total number of cases and deaths in that canton.

We have updated this map with Tuesday’s data:

Costa Rica has processed a total of 12,729 diagnostic tests for COVID-19 and can conduct up to 600 tests each day. Over the past five days, Costa Rica has processed an average of 131 tests per day.

Costa Rica tests everyone who qualifies as a suspected coronavirus case, according to Health Minister Daniel Salas. In addition, the country conducts 200 sentinel tests each week on samples collected across the country.

On Friday, May 1, Costa Rica will begin lifting some of its coronavirus restrictions. If the country continues avoiding a rapid rise in cases, it will further ease measures in mid-May.

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

Timeline of COVID-19 in Costa Rica

March 6: Costa Rica confirms first COVID-19 case.
March 9: Costa Rica suspends mass gatherings, tells employees to work from home.
March 16: Costa Rica declares State of Emergency, restricts entry to non-citizens
and non-residents. In-person teaching suspended.
March 18: Costa Rica reports first COVID-19-related death.
March 20: Costa Rica reports second COVID-19-related death. All national parks close.
March 23: Beaches and religious centers ordered to close. Nighttime driving ban announced.
March 31: Costa Rica inaugurates coronavirus-specific hospital at CENARE.
April 4-12: Costa Rica imposes significant travel restrictions during Semana Santa.
April 15: Costa Rica reports fourth COVID-19-related death.
April 17: Costa Rica registers first day-over-day decrease in known active coronavirus cases. This trend continues for the next 11 days.
April 19: Costa Rica reports fifth COVID-19-related death.
April 20: Costa Rica reports sixth COVID-19-related death.
April 27: Costa Rica announces first easing of coronavirus measures.