Costa Rica adds 68 coronavirus cases, 38 recoveries

Costa Rica confirmed 68 new cases of the coronavirus over the past day, totaling 1,939 cumulative known cases, the Health Ministry announced Thursday afternoon.

Thirty-eight more people have been classified as recovered under Costa Rica’s new definitions that qualify certain patients based on time rather than a negative test.

Costa Rica has 990 active cases and 937 recoveries.

Twelve people have died in Costa Rica after contracting the coronavirus. Twenty-five people are hospitalized with COVID-19, three more than Wednesday. Three people remain in intensive care.

The data mean Costa Rica has 2.35 coronavirus deaths per 1 million people.

Costa Rica processed 498 tests for SARS-CoV-2 over the past day and 33,780 in total. It has averaged 403 tests over the past five days.

Active coronavirus cases in Costa Rica

The Health Ministry said earlier this week that approximately 90% of cases have had their epidemiological nexus identified.

We will update this section when the Health Ministry provides the detailed breakdown for the day. This is expected at 3 p.m.

The below map has been updated through June 17, 2020: 

`The below chart was last updated June 18.

Breakdown of Costa Rica's coronavirus cases on June 18, 2020. Tico Times.

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 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 until May 12.
• April 19: Costa Rica reports fifth COVID-19-related death.
• April 20: Costa Rica reports sixth COVID-19-related death.
• May 1: Costa Rica begins easing coronavirus measures.
• May 10: Costa Rica reports seventh COVID-19-related death.
• May 13: Costa Rica reports eighth COVID-19-related death.
• May 15: Costa Rica reports ninth and tenth COVID-19-related deaths.
• May 18: Costa Rica begins opening beaches and national parks.
• May 30: Costa Rica records eleventh COVID-19-related death. 
• June 1: Costa Rica continues easing coronavirus measures by opening more national parks, and restaurants on weekends.
• June 10: Costa Rica records largest day-over-day increase in cases and says it’s facing a second wave of the virus.
• June 11: Costa Rica receives assistance from UN to confront Northern Zone outbreak.

Costa Rica is enforcing nationwide driving restrictions until at least June 20. Click here for full details.

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