The Ministry of Health of Costa Rica confirmed the number of patients infected with coronavirus is 26, so far it has discarded 289 patients. The government also announced its decision to close 317 public schools as a preventive measure for at least 14 days starting this Monday, March 16.

The 26 patients involve 14 females and 12 males, 23 Costa Rican’s and 3 foreigners, positive cases are registered in the provinces of San Jose, Heredia, Guanacaste, Alajuela and Cartago.

The decision to close the schools is primarily due to the lack of water in some schools and areas or because they are located in an area of influence where another education center’s have been closed as a result of a sanitary order.

Phone line 1322 has been made available to handle questions about Covid-19, the line is available 24/7 with personnel trained to offer pertinent information, this with the purpose of decreasing the number of calls being received by the 911 emergency line.

The procedures and guidelines of attention for all consultation where done by technical personnel of the Ministry of Health. In this way 1322 will allow to:

• Clarify and explain all symptoms related to Covid-19
• Receive information of possible cases
• In case that a call is considered an emergency, it will be transferred to 911

The Ministry of Health also urged the population to stay home this weekend to prevent transmission of the virus and continue to follow health protocol.

Only 3 out of the 26 patients are hospitalized, the rest remain quarantined and stable.