No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaNicaraguan government reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections, still far below independent...

Nicaraguan government reports more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections, still far below independent counts

The Nicaraguan government reported on Tuesday a weekly increase of 359 new coronavirus cases and 11 more deaths, according to a report from the Health Ministry.

That brings the official total number of cases to 1,118 and the death toll to 46 — both well below independent counts.

Over the last week, the Nicaraguan government says, other deaths attributed to pulmonary thromboembolism, diabetes, acute myocardial infarction, hypertensive crisis and bacterial pneumonia were reported in parallel.

Independent experts suspect that many of those other deaths are in fact related to the coronavirus, which is spreading through the country due to the few preventive measures that the government has taken.

The new weekly data was released shortly after the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned that coronavirus transmission “is very difficult to control” in Nicaragua.

The official figures are well below the independent count of the Citizen Observatory, which through May 27 had tallied 3,725 cases and 715 deaths from the new coronavirus, mainly in Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa and Chinandega.

The Citizen Observatory has served as an alternative source to the information gap created by Daniel Ortega’s government. It’s comprised of doctors and community networks that collect information on suspected coronavirus cases.

The report further documented “28 suspected deaths of COVID-19 among health personnel.”

The organization is not recognized by the Ortega government, which has refused to order quarantines or suspend classes. On the contrary, it had promoted sporting events and processions.

Given the increase in infections, 34 medical associations and private companies called to initiate a “national voluntary quarantine” to contain the spread of the virus.

The request was accepted by the main business association, and several large companies began to heed the call.

“The increase in the number of cases and deaths reported by official and unofficial sources shows that community transmission is in a very difficult situation to control,” said Ciro Ugarte, PAHO director of Health Emergencies, on Tuesday.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Surf Film Festival Honors ‘Pura Vida Bodysurfing’ with Top Audience Award

Pura Vida Bodysurfing is an award-winning short film that strips surfing back to its essence—riding waves without a surfboard. Filmed across Costa Rica’s legendary...

Costa Rica’s Top Court Bans President Chaves from 2026 Election Campaign

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Thursday barred President Rodrigo Chaves from participating in the 2026 election campaign, ruling that he "illegitimately used" his...

Panama Regains Control of Bocas del Toro After Violent Protests

Panama’s government has regained control of Bocas del Toro province after months of violent anti-government protests sparked by pension reforms, officials announced. The unrest,...

Honduras Seizes $2 Million, Gold-Plated Pistols in Drug Raid

Honduran authorities struck a blow against drug cartels, seizing over $2 million in cash, war rifles, and flashy gold-plated pistols in Copán, a northwest...

Costa Rica Hunts for Nicaraguan Hit Squad After Exile’s Assassination

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) is investigating whether a hit squad tied to Nicaragua’s Ortega-Murillo regime is targeting exiled critics on its soil....

A Costa Rica Love Story: From Rustic Cabina to Separate Dreams

My Tica wife and I have been together for over a quarter century. When we met, I was living a simple life here. Three...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
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