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Published
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Coronavirus
superspreaderinfected eight people By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Tuesday
13 new cases of coronavirus covid-19 were confirmed.
Eight cases were linked to one so-called
superspreader, according to the Health Ministry.
A superspreader is an individual who is more likely to infect others, compared to a typical infected person. So far, there are 179 people classified as suspected of having the disease, according to the Health Ministry. Specialists are in the process of confirming or ruling out coronavirus using lab tests. Of these 179 suspected cases, 164 are employees of San Rafael Hospital in Alajuela, where the so-called superspreader is hospitalized and where he also worked. Of the total lab tests performed by specialists for coronavirus, 59 were discarded. The Health Ministry gave summaries of the superspreader and the allegedly infected people. The so-called superspreader is a Costa Rican man, 54, who lives in Alajuela Province. He remains in delicate condition in the San Rafael Hospital. Officials identified him Monday as a doctor of that hospital where he is also being treated for a lung infection and diabetes. According to the authorities, the man arrived from Panamá on Feb. 22 without symptoms at Juan Santamaría International Airport. Days later he went to a hospital where he was listed as a suspected case. Saturday, authorities confirmed his infection with coronavirus covid-19. According to the authorities, he infected eight people. - A Costa Rican woman, 73. She is the aunt of the superspreader. Health workers presumed that he infected her. She is quarantined in a public hospital in San José. - A Costa Rican woman, 54. She was the caregiver for the 73-year-old woman. It is presumed that the man also infected her. She also remains in quarantine at her home. - A Costa Rican woman, 41. She is a relative of the man. It is presumed that he also infected this woman. She is also in quarantine at her home. - A Costa Rican woman, 56. She was also a relative of the man. Staffers presume the man also infected her. She too remains in quarantine at her home. - A Costa Rican man, 34. He is also a relative of the man. It is presumed that the man also infected this person. He too remains in quarantine in his home. Three recent cases were confirmed on Tuesday, also linked to the superspreader. The summaries provided by authorities are: - A Costa Rican girl, 11, who was in contact with the man. It is presumed that he also infected this child. She remains in quarantine in her home. - A Costa Rican boy, 13, who was also in contact with the man. It is also presumed that the man infected this boy. He remains in quarantine in his home. - A Costa Rican man, 52. He was also in contact with the so-called superspreader. It is presumed that he was also infected by this person. He remains in quarantine in his home. There are four confirmed infected patients with coronavirus not linked with the so-called superspreader. The Health Ministry provided summaries on these cases: - A U.S. citizen woman, 49, whose condition was confirmed Friday. This case is being classified as an imported virus. She entered the country on March 1 from New York at Juan Santamaría International Airport. She had no symptoms when she entered the country. After several days in Costa Rica that changed. She informed authorities that in New York she had contact with a patient who had coronavirus. Friday lab tests confirmed that she was the first case of coronavirus in Costa Rica. She is receiving medical treatment in quarantine at her hotel in the San José Province. - A U.S. citizen man, 49, husband of the latter case mentioned. His ailment was also confirmed Friday. He traveled with his wife and did not show any symptoms when entering the country. He also reported having had contact with a coronavirus patient in New York before traveling to Costa Rica. Medical exams confirmed he is infected with the virus. However, Sunday authorities said that he doesn’t yet have the symptoms of the disease. He too is in quarantine in a hotel with his wife. Authorities didn’t provide information about which hotel they were quarantined. - A U.S. citizen, 70, resident in Costa Rica. She recently came from the U.S. She is in quarantine in an unnamed public hospital. - A Costa Rican man, 54. In this case, authorities continue to investigate the origin of the infection. He remains in quarantine in his home. It is expected that throughout the day, authorities will update information about new suspect cases. Symptoms aren’t always obvious. The coronavirus covid-19 disease doesn’t really show symptoms or is mild in 81% of cases, according to the World Health Organization. It has caused severe pneumonia in 14% of those infected and became critical in just 5% of those infected. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, an infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. "Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs," World Health said in a statement. "Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing." --------------------------- What other recommendations would you give to avoid virus spread? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com More stories
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