If we ignore staying home, we may not have the possibility of a respirator, explained the Minister of Health. We must flatten the curve because there are a limited number of intensive care beds and respirators in the country.
The Government has added restrictions to keep people home and safe. In addition to the recently added driving restrictions, there is now a mandate to close businesses at 8 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This applies to most establishments that have operating permits and direct attention to the public.
Home delivery of food and medications will be allowed and supermarkets will be able to stay open. Additional exceptions include funeral homes, Immigration, Customs, Stat Phytosanitary services, and air, land, and sea border posts.
Costa Rica now has 295 cases of covid-19. 15 are hospitalized, including six in intensive care. The ages of those infected with the virus range from one to 87 years old. Of those in intensive care, only one is a senior citizen, pointing to the fact that no one is exempt from getting this virus. It affects people of all ages, even those who were previously in good health.
Fines have been significantly increased for those who fail to comply with Traffic Law and sanitary orders during this pandemic.
Soon the country will be able to test 500 patients per day and use the National Pain Center exclusively for new coronavirus patients who don’t require intensive care. Those who have appointments will be able to experience them remotely. Equipment will be given out to take their blood pressure at home and they will be able to receive physical therapy through personalized videos sent by email or WhatsApp.
