Costa Rica coronavirus updates for Tuesday, September 22

Costa Rica announced 15 new coronavirus-related deaths over the last day for a total of 760, according to official data released Tuesday afternoon by the Health Ministry.

Six-hundred and thirty-seven people are hospitalized with COVID-19; 260 are in intensive care. Both represent new highs.

The Health Ministry confirmed 1,087 new cases on Tuesday, of which 868 were identified via a lab test, for a cumulative total of 66,689.

A total of 25,706 people have been cleared as recovered; the Health Ministry says this number lags behind actual recoveries.

Costa Rica has 40,223 known active cases. The data indicate Costa Rica has 14.9 COVID-19-related deaths per 100,000 people. The country is averaging 14.7 deaths each day in September.

The deaths comprise 244 adults and 516 elderly adults; no children have died of COVID-19 in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has 359 intensive-care beds and 986 beds for less-complex coronavirus hospitalizations. This means 72% 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.