Hospitals in the Central Valley face mounting pressure from a rise in respiratory illnesses, prompting the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) to shift pediatric patients across facilities. Officials report that seasonal viruses, including influenza A subtype H3, have driven up demand, leading to near-full occupancy in key centers.
The surge began in late 2025, with the Ministry of Health confirming circulation of influenza H3, mostly the subclade K variant, alongside rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). By the end of December, labs processed 360 samples positive for H3, and 576 patients tested positive for various respiratory pathogens. Cases clustered in areas like San José, Desamparados, Alajuela, and San Carlos, all within the Central Valley region.
In early January, the CCSS issued an epidemiological alert on December 16 to heighten monitoring and response. This came as hospitals reported higher admissions, particularly among children. The Max Peralta Hospital in Cartago neared its capacity, strained by pediatric cases from local communities and migrant groups. To manage the load, authorities activated network protocols, moving stable patients to hospitals in Heredia, Alajuela, and Turrialba. Severe cases went to specialized units equipped for advanced respiratory support.
Health leaders stress that while no full sanitary emergency exists, the situation calls for public action. “We see this pattern each year around this time, but the volume requires careful handling,” said a CCSS spokesperson. Families receive guidance to seek care at local clinics for mild symptoms, reserving emergency rooms for critical needs like breathing difficulties or high fevers.
Compounding the issue, the public health system continues to deal with persistent staff deficits. The National Nursing Union estimates a shortfall of 6,400 nurses nationwide, forcing workers to handle heavier loads. In intensive care, one nurse often oversees five patients, stretching resources thin during peaks. This gap affects response times and overall care quality, as staff manage extended shifts amid rising caseloads.
Patients and families feel the impact. Parents report longer waits for consultations, with some children needing transfers for beds. One mother from Desamparados described her son’s RSV treatment: “We arrived early, but the ward was full. They sent us to another hospital, and he’s stable now, but it was tense.”
The Ministry urges preventive steps to curb spread. Hand washing, masking in crowded spots, and avoiding contact with sick individuals top the list. Vaccination against influenza remains available at CCSS sites, targeting high-risk groups like children under five and adults over 65.
As we get further in February, officials monitor trends closely. Data from week 50 of 2025 showed 45 confirmed H3 cases, with 102 influenza A positives overall. If patterns hold, the system expects relief by mid-year, but current conditions test its limits. Experts point to climate factors and holiday gatherings as contributors to the uptick. Warmer weather mixed with rain fosters virus transmission, while family events accelerate spread among kids.
The CCSS plans to bolster staffing through recruitment drives, aiming to fill gaps by mid-2026. In the meantime, the focus stays on efficient patient flow and community cooperation to ease hospital burdens. This development highlights the need for sustained investment in health infrastructure. With Central Valley hospitals serving dense populations, any surge reveals vulnerabilities in a system that handles over 90% of our country’s medical needs.
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