Costa Rica coronavirus updates for Wednesday, September 23

Costa Rica announced 21 new coronavirus-related deaths over the last day for a total of 781, according to official data released Wednesday afternoon by the Health Ministry.

The 21 deaths equal Costa Rica’s second-highest day-over-day figure.

Six-hundred and sixteen people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19; 249 are in intensive care. Both represent decreases since Tuesday.

The Health Ministry confirmed 1,370 new cases on Wednesday, of which 1,142 were identified via a lab test, for a cumulative total of 68,059.

A total of 26,138 people have been cleared as recovered; the Health Ministry says this number lags behind actual recoveries. Costa Rica has 41,140 known active cases.

The data indicate Costa Rica has 15.31 COVID-19-related deaths per 100,000 people. The country is averaging 15 deaths each day in September, including double-digit deaths for 11 straight days.

The deaths comprise 251 adults and 530 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 69% 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.