Coronavirus

Costa Rica reports first Delta variant cases

Costa Rica's health minister announces 16 Covid-19 cases with the Delta variant. Photo: Costa Rican Health Ministry
Costa Rica’s health minister announces 16 Covid-19 cases with the Delta variant. Photo: Costa Rican Health Ministry

Costa Rica has detected 16 cases of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which is already becoming a regional concern in Latin America. Local health officials say 12 patients are Costa Rican, while the other four are foreign tourists. 

During a press conference, Health Minister Daniel Salas admitted that “this does not mean these are the only cases,” promising efforts to keep the Delta variant under control. As of today, none of the 16 infected people have been admitted to the hospital, and three are already vaccinated.

After controlling the virus for most of 2020, the Central American nation experienced a health system collapse in May, with a peak of cases and deaths. Now, with more than 50 percent of Costa Ricans having received at least one vaccine shot, the curve is falling each week.