Healthcare

Understaffed, over extended Public hospitals in Costa Rica Caja Costs Spike for Expats in Costa Rica

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica CAJA sticker shock. For those who don't yet know, one of the requirements for residency here in Costa Rica is that you must enroll in our national healthcare system (CAJA) upon approval of your residency application. You will be means-tested to assess "fairly" what you can afford to pay—the greater your income, the higher your CAJA premium. A...

Vaccine Passport Costa Rica Vaccine Passports :The Ministry of Health in Costa Rica

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica The following is the latest update from the Costa Rica Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud CR): Gradual opening will mark the last quarter of the year. 1. From October 16 to October 31, the sanitary vehicle restriction will be from 10 pm to 5 am from Monday to Sunday and the establishments may operate until the same time. 2. If the evol...

Costa Rica Covid-19 ICU Capacity Costa Rican Health Authorities Warn the Worst of the Pandemic is Coming

Health authorities in Costa Rica warn that the worst moment of the pandemic in the country is expected in the upcoming weeks. Early this week the social security service (CCSS) reported they had over 2,246 patients that required hospitalization due to Covid-19, an increase "never seen before". In average, 27 people die every day with conditions related to Covid-19. "We are close to reachi...

Covid Cases continue to Increase, New Restrictions Go Into Effect May 3

Costa Rica registered 2,781 new cases of Covid-19 this Thursday, April 29, a new record for the country. Under these circumstances, the Government has announced new restrictions that will go into effect May 3 and will continue through May 9. The new restrictions include:' The closure of “non-essential” commercial businesses that offer attention to the public from May 3 through May 9th. ...

Costa Rica Covid-19 ICU Capacity Costa Rica Reaches New Record Number of Covid-19 Cases in One Day

Costa Rica registered this Wednesday, April 28th, a new record on the number of new Covid-19 cases a total of 2,434. With this new number, the total cases reach 245,601 out of which 40,184 are active. 351 people remain in intensive care while another 467 are hospitalized. The health system has expressed its concern with the current rhythm of infection and the possibility of a collapse of pub...

Covid-19, Costa Rica Costa Rica has Developed a Rapid $20 COVID-19 Test

Costa Rican scientists are aggressively developing a rapid molecular saliva-based test for COVID-19 that will yield results in only one hour, and will cost $15-20. No elaborate equipment will be required to amplify the generic material, making the test much simpler to process. The first prototype has been created and scientists are calling the RT-LAMP test “tiCOVID-19”, after the affectionate name...

COvid-19 Vaccine Costa Rica, Fake, Not real, bootleg Fake Blackmarket COVID-19 Vaccines in Costa Rica

Organized crime in Costa Rica and throughout Latin America has discovered a way to take advantage of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, while keeping their profits high and their traffickers gainfully employed. INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) has discovered substandard facemasks, counterfeit hand sanitizers, and most recently, bogus COVID-19 injections that traffickers refer ...

Costa Rica Restrictions Covid19 Costa Rican Government Announces Changes in Restrictions

The Government of Costa Rica announced changes in restrictions for the end and beginning of the year. The measures will apply to the entire country and are as follow: On Thursday, December 31st: The transit restriction will apply as of 7 p.m. and through 5 a.m. (exceptions apply). Commercial establishments that provide attention to the public will have to close at 7 p.m. and through 5 a.m...

Costa Rica Vaccine Covid19 First Shipment of Covid-19 Vaccines Arrives to Costa Rica

The first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines arrived at the Juan Santamaría Airport in San Jose this evening of Wednesday, December 23. This shipment contained 9,750 vaccines. The government announced that this Thursday two senior citizens and two members of the health care system will be vaccinated in a symbolic public activity; however, the vaccination will begin officially on Monday, December 28t...

Costa Rica Covid-19 ICU Capacity Hospitals in Costa Rica Running Out of Beds for Critical Patients

The Social Security Service (CCSS) in Costa Rica confirmed this Sunday they have only 5 available beds in ICU for critical COVID-19 patients. On Saturday hospitals had run out of beds for critical patients; CCSS had to relocate some patients to make some beds available, others became available after the passing of other critical patients. “We have reached a maximum capacity, it is very painful...

Costa Rica Vaccine Covid19 COVID-19 Update Costa Rica: The Vaccine

Costa Rica has had 143,685 confirmed cases of COVID-19 through last Friday, December 4, out of these, 95,789 people have recovered, and 577 patients remain hospitalized. In total the country has registered 1,773 deaths related to COVID-19: 666 women and 1,107 men. The Government announced this week that it has formalized the agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech for the purchase of 3 million do...

Coronavirus, Costa Rica, Symptoms, Guide Costa Rica Covid-19 Update

The Ministry of Health confirmed 1,087 new cases of Covid-19 positive patients for a grand total of 66,689 confirmed cases, out of which 25,706 people are already recovered. 637 people are currently hospitalized, 260 of them in the intensive care unit. Costa Rica has registered 760 deaths related to this virus. The Government estimates that the hospitals will reach their absolute maximum cap...

Costa Ricans Pay Higher Prices for Medicines then the Rest of Latin Americans

According to a report published in SemanarioUniversidad.com prices of medicines in Costa Rica are as much as 50% more expensive than in the rest of Latin America “due to the advantages that international labs have which fix high prices and also to the power of the companies that distribute the medicines”. Several studies including one from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEIC) confirm tha...

Coronavirus, covid-19, New Rules Regarding Covid Face Coverings Begin on September 9th in Costa Rica

On Friday Costa Rica broke a new record for COVID-19 cases with a count of 1193 new cases, the highest since the pandemic began, and surpassing the August 13th total of 1072 new cases. The continual increase in cases is worrisome, especially given the country’s plan to enter a new phase of economic reopening on September 9, and the gradual return of tourists in recent weeks. Minister of Health Dan...

Costa Rica September Restrictions Covid Costa Rican Government Announces Restrictions To Apply in September

This Wednesday Aug 26th Costa Rica registered 1,002 new cases of Covid-19 for a total of 36,307 positive cases out of which 13,317 have already recovered; 400 people remain hospitalized 143 in the intensive care unit. With these numbers, the government announced the sanitary measures that will apply as of September. From Monday, August 31 and through September 8 the country will be in a tran...

Costa Rica US Field Hospital Donation United States Donates Three Field Hospitals to CCSS

The United States donated three field hospitals to the Costa Rican Social Security Board (CCSS), as part of the U.S. government's ongoing assistance to nations responding to the global pandemic. “In times like these, we can only overcome the difficulties we face together as neighbors, communities, and governments. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Costa Rica during these unprecedented times. I...

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Costa Rica First Confirmed Cased of COVID-19 Re-Infection in the World

Doctors and patients have been wondering for months if it was possible to contract the coronavirus twice. We now know the answer is – YES. A 33-year old man, young and healthy, was re-infected with the virus 4.5 months after the first episode, according to University of Hong Kong researchers and reported to the New York Times and Japan Times. The first time his symptoms were mild, and the second t...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information Costa Rican Government Caves Under Pressure and Revises Heavy Economic Restrictions

Saturday August 8th Costa Rica has registered 721 new Covid-19 cases for a total 22,802 confirmed patients out of which 7,589 have already recovered. 360 people are hospitalized, 80 of them in the intensive care unit. 228 deaths are reported in relation to the pandemic in the country. The government announced adjustments on the restrictions and sanitary measures that had already been announc...

Coronavirus, covid-19, The Mask vs Shield Debate in Costa Rica: Which One Works Better

In Costa Rica, businesses that require face coverings for entry allow either a mask or a shield – "mascarilla" or "careta", in Spanish. Which one is better protection for you and others? Most experts agree that masks are much more effective in stopping the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Commented infectious disease expert Luis Romero on the radio show “Nuestra Voz”, “I don’t know who invente...

Covid-19 Treatment Costa Rica Equine Antibody Serums Prepared in Costa Rica Inhibit Covid-19

The two equine antibody formulations prepared by the Clodomiro Picado Institute of the University of Costa Rica (ICP-UCR), from plasma of horses hyperimmunized with viral proteins, are capable of inhibiting the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes COVID-19 disease. This was the result of tests carried out at George Mason University, in the United States, which confirmed that t...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information Costa Rica Tops Previous Record of New Covid-19 Cases in a Day With 931

On Saturday July 25th Costa Rica reached another record on the number of new confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 931. This brings the total to 14,600 since the pandemic reached the country at the beginning of March. 10,960 cases are active. A total of 98 patients have now died. Through July 1st, the country only registered 17 deaths related to the virus, which means that in just the past 24 days t...

Costa Rica Hospitals Covid-19 Covid-19 Forces Temporary Closure of Operating Rooms at San Juan de Dios Hospital

Costa Rica has confirmed a total of 11,114 cases of Covid-19 through Sunday July 19 and out of these, 2,966 have already recovered. Today the country reached a new record in the number of people hospitalized with a total of 241 patients, out of which 44 remain in the intensive care unit. 8 more people have died for a total of 62 deaths related to Covid-19. One of the latest deaths registered wa...

Costa Rica Coronavirus Emergency commission National Emergency Commission Predicts Dire Future of COVID-19 in Costa Rica

On Thursday the National Emergency Commission (Comision Nacional de Emergencias, CNE), presented the latest status update and predictions for the growth of Coronavirus COVID-19 in Costa Rica. The predictions were described by some as worrisome, by others as catastrophic. The CNE predicts that if the virus continues to progress at the current rate, by mid-August the hospital capacity of the Cost...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information With 360 New COVID-19 Cases in Costa Rica The Government Implements Restrictions

Costa Rica registers 360 new cases this Friday, July 10 for a total 6,845 confirmed cases, 2110 of these have already recovered. The country registers 26 deaths of Covid-19 positive patients. Currently, there are 128 people hospitalized, 17 of these are in the intensive care unit with ages ranging from 43 and 78 years. President Carlos Alvarado informed during the press conference new restri...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information Costa Rica Numbers Skyrocket With 649 New Cases of Covid-19 in a Single day

Costa Rica confirmed the highest number of new cases in a single day since the first case was detected in the country four months ago, 649 new cases were confirmed for Thursday, July 9th which brings the total number to 6,485, out of which 2,023 have already recovered. 120 people are currently hospitalized, 14 of them are in the intensive care unit with ages ranging between 43 and 82 years old....

Costa Rica Face mask covid19 Costa Rica has Registered 5,241 Cases and 23 COVID-19 Deaths Four Months After First Case

This Monday July 6th Costa Rica has registered a total of 5,241 confirmed cases of Covid-19. This consists of 2,230 women and 3,011 men, out of which 3,705 are Costa Rican and 1,536 are foreigners. 1,766 people have already recovered. In the last 24 hours, 4 patients that were diagnosed with Covid-19 have died, the latest victims are a 92-year-old woman that was hospitalized since July 4th and ...

Costa Rica Tour Guides, Coronavirus, COVID-19 Tour Guide in Costa Rica Catches COVID from Tourists and Flatlines Three Times in the ICU

Marco Paris (57), a popular tour guide from Tibas, toured a group of French tourists for 17 days in March. It almost killed him. He survived for 41 days in the Intensive Care Unit of hospital Mexico, and had to be resuscitated three times after he flat lined. He feels he survived due to excellent medical care, and by the grace of God. He says his story should give hope to all COVID-19 sufferers. ...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information Costa Rica Continues to Increase Daily Number of Covid-19 Cases

This Saturday, July 4th, Costa Rica’s health authorities confirmed 310 new cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,621 out of which 1,721 are already recovered. Costa Rica also confirmed its 19 death of a Covid-19 positive patient, a young man that was diagnosed post-mortem. According to the authorities he arrived in shock by ambulance at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in San Jose. The case is under ...

Costa Rica Imposes New Restrictions After Almost 600 new Covid Cases in 2 Days

During the press conference held this Thursday, July 2, the Ministry of Health in Costa Rica confirmed 270 new cases, which brings the total to 4,023. Daniel Salas, Minister of Health also confirmed the country has entered the phase of community transmission. Community transmission is when the transmission has reached a point where it is no longer possible to identify the source of origin of th...

294 New Cases in One Day, Costa Rica Will Announce New Sanitary Measures

The Minister of Health announced that for Wednesday July 1st Costa Rica had the highest daily spike in the number of new cases since the pandemic started back in March 6. 294 new cases in just one day, bringing the total to 3,753. The country also registered its 17th death of a Covid-19 positive patient. 56 people are currently hospitalized and 6 of them in the intensive care unit. Considering ...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information Costa Rica Registers 16th Covid-19 Death and Highest Number of New Daily Cases

The Ministry of Health confirmed the death of another Covid-19 patient this Tuesday June 3oth , an 89-year-old Costa Rican woman, living in San José. She had been diagnosed on June 22 and had remained hospitalized since June 25th. The deceased also suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure. The country also registered the highest number of new cases since the pandemic started with 190 and ...

Costa Rica Covid-19 ICU Capacity If COVID Number Continue to Rise in Costa Rica, ICU Beds Will be Insufficient in Weeks

Through June 29, Costa Rica has registered 3,269 cases of Covid-19; in this past week the country had the highest new numbers of cases since the first patient was confirmed in the country back in March. The number of deaths in the country is up to 15, and through yesterday Costa Rica also registered its highest number of hospitalized patients: 40, out of which 4 are in the intensive care unit. ...

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Costa Rica Costa Rica Registered Two More Deaths due to Covid-19 Saturday June 27th

This Saturday June 27th Costa Rica has registered two more deaths due to Covid-19 Coronavirus bringing the total to 14. During the morning hours the Ministry of Health confirmed the death of a 78 year-old woman, a Costa Rican citizen who lived in Guanacaste who had been hospitalized at the San Juan de Dios Hospital where she remained in the Intensive Care Unit since June 24, which is the same d...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information It’s Official Costa Rica Won’t be Opening For Tourism Until Aug 1st

The Ministry of Health in Costa Rica confirmed 152 new cases this Friday, for a total of 2,836 positive cases of Covid-19 of the country, out of which, 1,280 have already recovered, while 36 are hospitalized 6 in the intensive care unit. 26,866 people have tested negative. Pilar Garrido, Minister of Planning, referred to the reopening of economic activities in the country: -Counties and d...

Costa Rica Economy Covid19 Commerce and Tourism in Costa Rica Await New Guidelines

As of June 24th Costa Rica has registered a total of 2,515 cases of COVID-19, out of which 1,210 patients have recovered, 30 people are still hospitalized and 5 are in the intensive care unit. Several counties and districts remain under orange alert, particularly in the northern Costa Rica and the Paquera district, as well as in the counties of Pavas, Alajuelita and Desamparados in San José. In...

Costa Rica Face mask covid19 As of June 27 Face Masks Will Be Mandatory In Most Costa Rican Businesses

After canceling the Phase 3 reopening of businesses this past weekend due to the important increase in cases of Covid-19. The Minister of Health, Daniel Salas, stated during the press conference this Monday that the reopening is tentatively scheduled for the upcoming weekend and that at the same time the use of face masks will be mandatory in some services and commerce. The legal instruction an...

Costa Rica Prepares for COVID-19 Spike With Incredible Nationally Made Ventilator

University of Costa Rica Launches First Mechanical Ventilator Designed and Made in Costa Rica Doctors from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) have developed the first non-invasive ventilator for patients suffering from COVID-19. Called Fluxus Mask, the device is both a breathing machine and an isolation mask to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It was created out of a growing concern that COVID...

Costa Rica Coronavirus, Restrictions, Updated Information Costa Rica Suspends Reopening of Commerce After 119 New Cases in a day

Costa Rica registered the highest number of new cases this Friday with 119 new cases. This situation forced the government to cancel the reopening of commerce that was planned for this weekend. “This puts us in a high risk of heading to an exponential curve, here we all have been doing our share to protect the health (of the population), to give the opportunity to people that can get seriously ...

Costa Rica June 13: 1662 Confirmed Cases of Covid-19

On June 13, 2020, Costa Rica registered 50 new cases of Covid-19 for a total of 1,662 confirmed cases with ages ranging from 0 to 92 and involving 762 women and 900 men; 1247 patients are Costa Rican and 415 are foreigners. 743 of these patients have already recovered while 19 people remain hospitalized, 3 of them in the intensive care unit. 22,144 people have tested negative. The coun...

Costa Rica Covid19 Costa Rica Covid-19 Update: United Nations Assists With Outbreak Near Border

The Ministry of Health in Costa Rica confirmed 77 new Covid-19 cases through this Thursday, June 11, 2020, bringing the total to 1,538 registered cases with ages ranging from 0 to 92 years of age. In total 710 women and 828 men have tested positive, 1,150 are Costa Rican and 388 are foreigners out of the registered 1,538 cases. A large “cluster” of cases are located in the northern zone of C...