Costa Rica coronavirus updates for Monday, September 21

Costa Rica announced 59 new coronavirus-related deaths since Friday for a total of 745, according to official data released Monday afternoon by the Health Ministry.

Six-hundred and thirty-four people are hospitalized with COVID-19, equaling Costa Rica’s record; 254 are in intensive care, a new high.

The Health Ministry confirmed 1,338 new cases on Saturday, 1,187 on Sunday, and 703 on Monday for a cumulative total of 65,602.

A total of 25,127 people have been cleared as recovered; the Health Ministry says this number lags behind actual recoveries.

Costa Rica has 39,730 known active cases. The data indicate Costa Rica has 14.6 COVID-19-related deaths per 100,000 people. The country is averaging 14.7 deaths each day in September.

Costa Rica has 359 intensive-care beds and 986 beds for less-complex coronavirus hospitalizations. This means 71% of Costa Rica’s ICU beds are currently occupied.

The below graph shows Costa Rica’s test-positivity rate (the fraction of tests that come back positive) as of Saturday, September 19. We’ll update it weekly: 

Costa Rica coronavirus test positivity rate September 19, 2020. Tico Times graph.

The below graphic will update automatically as the Health Ministry releases new coronavirus data.

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