Data released by the Ministry of Health indicates that hospitalizations also surged by 56%, with 29 patients receiving inpatient care compared to 18 the previous week.

During epidemiological week 29 (July 13 to July 19), public health authorities confirmed 126 new COVID-19 cases, up from 94 registered the week prior. With this uptick, the virus has displaced parainfluenza and rhinovirus as the primary respiratory agent currently circulating nationwide.

The five reported fatalities mark the highest weekly death toll for COVID-19 in Costa Rica so far this year, bringing the country’s cumulative total to 16 deaths linked to the virus.

Health Authorities Reiterate Preventive Measures

Faced with the simultaneous circulation of multiple respiratory viruses—with total accumulated respiratory illness cases reaching 771,255—the Ministry of Health urged the public to reinforce basic preventive habits, particularly to protect high-risk populations such as young children, older adults, and individuals with underlying chronic conditions.

Although health officials clarified that an official sanitary emergency alert has not been declared, they emphasized that the concurrent presence of multiple pathogens requires active vigilance.

Key Recommendations from Health Officials:

• Keep vaccination schedules up to date
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing or s
• Avoid close contact with individuals showing symptoms
• Prioritize well-ventilated indoor spaces
• Stay home and refrain from attending public events if experiencing respiratory symptoms

National Children’s Hospital Reports High Occupancy

While COVID-19 leads adult case counts, the National Children’s Hospital (HNN) continues to treat a high volume of pediatric patients suffering from severe acute respiratory infections.

The medical center reported 66 hospitalized pediatric patients, translating to a 90% respiratory bed occupancy rate. Among them, 12 remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), six are being treated in the Emergency Department, and three require mechanical ventilation.

“As of July 31st, the hospital woke up to a drop in the number of admitted patients due to respiratory infections. Occupancy has shown variable behavior since the respiratory syncytial virus season began. In fact, during recent weeks, it reached a peak of 139%,” explained Dr. Marcela Hernández, Deputy General Director of HNN.

Dr. Hernández noted that unlike recent years, the current surge in pediatric hospitalizations has progressed at a slower rate.

“It is not behaving in terms of numbers like previous years regarding the quantity of hospitalized patients. It has been fluctuating, and we are not yet seeing that sudden spike that occurred over the past two years,” she added.

Medical experts attribute this moderation to changing weather patterns and the maternal vaccination campaign against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) administered to pregnant women starting last year.

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