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Published Monday, March 23,
2020
Image of La Negrita traveled over the country By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The image of the Virgin of the Angels, known as La Negrita, and the patron saint of Costa Rica, flew over the country during the weekend. Catholics traditionally take the name of a patron saint to help them throughout their life. La Negrita is a stone image that measures about 20 centimeters and is composed of volcanic rock, graphite and jade. Since the rock is black, people call it La Negrita, but it is presumed to be the image of the Virgin mother of Jesus. The image has a round face, slanted eyes, a nose and a small mouth. In her left arm, she holds the baby Jesus whose right hand is raised in an attitude of blessing. The name given to the image is Virgin of Los Angeles, because Aug. 2, the day of the image discovery in 1635, the Franciscan Order venerates its patron saint, Santa María de los Ángeles. Sept. 24, 1824, by decree of the highest political authorities of the country, the Virgin of the Angels was declared as the official patron of Costa Rica. The idea for the holy image to travel the country by plane and helicopter was from the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica, the Basilica of La Virgen de los Angeles and the Ministry of Security. La Negrita was ecorted by the priest José Francisco Arias, rector of the church in Cartago. This is the first time in history that the image of La Negrita travels around the country by plane and helicopter. "We have made this trip to foster the faith and hope of Costa Ricans due to the coronavirus covid-19 emergency," said the Catholic Church in its statement. Part of La Negrita's flight can be seen on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Security. Last week, the Episcopal Conference, an organization that leads the Catholic Church in the country, announced the suspension of all types of activities for the public including traditional Easter activities until further notice. On Sunday, the Ministry of Health confirmed 17 new cases of people infected with covid-19, two patients dead, 134 infected people in the country. Nine of the infected patients are still hospitalized, of those infected three are in intensive care. The name of the hospital where the patients are being treated was not provided by authorities. According to the statistics provided by the ministry, of the 134 patients, 55 are women (41%) and 78 are men (59%). Concerning nationality, 117 are Costa Rican and 17 are foreigners. Authorities did not provide further information on the condition of the patients. The ages of patients infected with covid-19 range from two to 87. Among these are seven children under the age of 13. There is also one U.S. woman, 73, plus 13 Costa Ricans over the age of 70. The rest of the 113 infected are adults. The virus has spread across the country. Authorities confirmed cases in 28 cantons in the seven provinces, now including Puntarenas Province. Negative lab tests resulted for 1,400 people classified as suspects. They were ruled out. The death of the second patient infected with coronavirus covid-19 was announced on Thursday. He was an elderly Costa Rican man, 87, hospitalized in intensive care at San Rafael Hospital in Alajuela Province. In addition to being infected with the virus, this patient had a history of cardiovascular disease. The very first death of a patient infected with coronavirus was confirmed on Wednesday. The patient was a Costa Rican man, 87, who was hospitalized in intensive care at the same Hospital in Alajuela. It is a coincidence that the first two deaths infected with coronavirus had similar characteristics in age and place of death, said authorities. On Friday, authorities reported a couple, two U.S. citizens, finished the coronavirus covid-19 quarantine. The spouses already completed the 14-day quarantine period and they no longer have symptoms of the virus. Also, both had two negative test results to confirm 100% certainty both patients are no longer infected. They are at no risk of infecting others. Authorities did not provide further information about these cases. It is presumed that both foreigners left the country. Authorities clarify, once again, that there is still no cure, medicine or treatment to avoid or control coronavirus covid-19. The experts call on people not to believe in misinformation guised as news. The trustworthy data on the evolution of the coronavirus in Costa Rica, or about the worldwide advances to find a possible cure, is published daily by official institutions such as the Ministry of Security or Social Security, said the authorities.  On Sunday were 337,881 cases reported of coronavirus covid-19 globally, where 14,444 patients died. There are 96,958 patients in total recovery, according to the most current information from the World Health Organization, which classified covid-19 as a pandemic. Should authorities open more labs in the country to allow coronavirus lab tests for more people? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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