Costa Rica confirmed 75 new cases of the coronavirus over the past day, totaling 1,871 cumulative known cases, the Health Ministry announced Wednesday afternoon.
One-hundred and five people have been classified as recovered under Costa Rica’s new definitions that qualify certain patients based on time rather than a negative test.
Costa Rica has 960 active cases and 899 recoveries.
Twelve people have died in Costa Rica after contracting the coronavirus. Twenty-two people are hospitalized with COVID-19, two more than Tuesday. Three people are in intensive care, one more than Tuesday.
The data mean Costa Rica has 2.35 coronavirus deaths per 1 million people.
Outbreaks in agriculture companies
The Public Security Ministry (MSP), in conjunction with the Health Ministry, shuttered eight agriculture companies in the Northern Zone that were operating without necessary sanitary permits, Health Minister Daniel Salas said Wednesday.
A ninth business — where 21 workers have tested positive for the coronavirus in Los Chiles — must close for 30 days.
“We will remain in the area in constant monitoring,” said Public Security Minister Michael Soto. “We call on farm owners and agricultural companies to respect the guidelines; otherwise we will take the corresponding actions.”
MSP is continuing targeted operations in the Northern Zone to contain the outbreak in that region.
“This is one of them most important actions we can be taking,” Salas said.
Salas also referred to a 50-person party hosted last week in the canton of Alajuelita. At least 17 people who were at that gathering have since tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, Salas said, and one of those is hospitalized.
Active coronavirus cases in Costa Rica
The Health Ministry said earlier this week that approximately 90% of cases have had their epidemiological nexus identified.
Twenty-nine new cases were reported Wednesday in the canton of Los Chiles. Seven were reported in Alajuelita.
The below map has been updated through June 17, 2020:
`The below chart was last updated June 16.
Timeline of COVID-19 in Costa Rica
- March 6: Costa Rica confirms first COVID-19 case.
- March 9: Costa Rica suspends mass gatherings, tells employees to work from home.
- March 16: Costa Rica declares State of Emergency, restricts entry to non-citizens
- and non-residents. In-person teaching suspended.
- March 18: Costa Rica reports first COVID-19-related death.
- March 20: Costa Rica reports second COVID-19-related death. All national parks close.
- March 23: Beaches and religious centers ordered to close. Nighttime driving ban announced.
- March 31: Costa Rica inaugurates coronavirus-specific hospital at CENARE.
- April 15: Costa Rica reports fourth COVID-19-related death.
- April 17: Costa Rica registers first day-over-day decrease in known active coronavirus cases. This trend continues until May 12.
- April 19: Costa Rica reports fifth COVID-19-related death.
- April 20: Costa Rica reports sixth COVID-19-related death.
- May 1: Costa Rica begins easing coronavirus measures.
- May 10: Costa Rica reports seventh COVID-19-related death.
- May 13: Costa Rica reports eighth COVID-19-related death.
- May 15: Costa Rica reports ninth and tenth COVID-19-related deaths.
- May 18: Costa Rica begins opening beaches and national parks.
- May 30: Costa Rica records eleventh COVID-19-related death.
- June 1: Costa Rica continues easing coronavirus measures by opening more national parks, and restaurants on weekends.
- June 10: Costa Rica records largest day-over-day increase in cases and says it’s facing a second wave of the virus.
- June 11: Costa Rica receives assistance from UN to confront Northern Zone outbreak.
Costa Rica is enforcing nationwide driving restrictions until at least June 20. Click here for full details.
If you believe you may have contracted the coronavirus or have questions regarding the virus, contact Costa Rican health authorities by dialing 1322.
