Costa Rica coronavirus updates for Wednesday, August 5

Costa Rica announced 10 new coronavirus-related deaths over the past day for a total of 191, according to official data released Wednesday afternoon by the Health Ministry.

Three-hundred and eighty-eight people are hospitalized with COVID-19, with 100 in intensive care. The age range of those in ICUs is from 24 to 91 years old.

The Health Ministry has confirmed 20,417 cumulative known coronavirus cases. This represents 580 new cases compared to Tuesday.

Wednesday, 261 more people were classified by health authorities as recovered.

Costa Rica has 13,375 known active cases and 6,851 recoveries.

Costa Rica coronavirus cases on August 5, 2020. (Tico Times graph.)

The data indicate Costa Rica has 3.74 COVID-19-related deaths per 100,000 people.

For reference, Costa Rica confirmed 23 total deaths due to respiratory viruses in all of 2018, according to the Health Ministry.

Most hospitalized patients have at least one risk factor, with hypertension, diabetes, obesity and smoking being the most common.

Active coronavirus cases in Costa Rica

Starting July 25, Costa Rica considers some patients as confirmed cases without requiring a positive test. This only applies if a person living with someone who has tested positive begins exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

The Health Ministry’s definitions also qualify certain patients as recovered based on time rather than a negative test.

Costa Rica has processed 96,110 tests as of Tuesday.

The Greater Metropolitan Area is the country’s current epicenter. Costa Rica has relaxed restrictions through August 9; click here for details regarding business and driving restrictions.

The below graphic will update automatically when the Health Ministry releases detailed information on the number of tests processed and the location of new cases later this afternoon.

If you believe you have COVID-19, contact Costa Rica’s hotline at 1322. English-speaking staff and mental health professionals are available.