Costa Rica coronavirus updates for Thursday, August 6

Costa Rica announced nine new coronavirus-related deaths over the past day for a total of 200, according to official data released Thursday afternoon by the Health Ministry.

“We share the pain of the 200 families that have suffered from these losses,” said President Carlos Alvarado, speaking five months after the first coronavirus case was identified in Costa Rica.

Three-hundred and ninety-one people are hospitalized with COVID-19, with 103 in intensive care. The age range of those in ICUs is from 24 to 91 years old.

The Health Ministry has confirmed 21,070 cumulative known coronavirus cases. This represents 653 new cases compared to Tuesday.

Thursday, 187 more people were classified by health authorities as recovered.

Costa Rica has 13,832 known active cases and 7,038 recoveries.

Costa Rica coronavirus cases on August 6, 2020. Tico Times graph.

The data indicate Costa Rica has 3.91 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.

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.