UPDATED: Feb/4/2020

The cases of deaths due to coronavirus in China have reached 427, while the Center for Disease Control, (CDC) has confirmed 11 US cases, 12 Cases in Australia and 4 Cases in Canada. This has health authorities worldwide in alert and Costa Rica is not the exception. In total almost 21,000 Cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed of which 2700 are in critical condition.

There are no reported cases of coronavirus in Costa Rica yet, but the Ministry of Health and the National Emergency Commission are vigilant and began a prevention campaign several days back.

“Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world. Seven different coronaviruses, that scientists know of, can infect people and make them sick. Some human coronaviruses were identified many years ago and some have been identified recently. Human coronaviruses commonly cause mild to moderate illness in people worldwide. Two newer human coronaviruses, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, have been known to frequently cause severe illness, explains the report by CDC, which continues:

Common human coronaviruses, including types 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1, usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. Most people get infected with these viruses at some point in their lives. These illnesses usually only last for a short amount of time. Symptoms may include: runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, a general feeling of being unwell
Human coronaviruses can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. This is more common in people with cardiopulmonary disease, people with weakened immune systems, infants, and older adults.

At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.

Authorities emphasize on the importance of having healthy habits: wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap several times a day, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing preferably with a paper tissue, handkerchief or your forearm, avoid crowded places, disinfect surfaces and if you have cold symptoms stay at home and go to the emergency services if symptoms worsen.