Truck drivers test positive for virus at Costa Rica border

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — In the week since Costa Rica began testing truck drivers entering the country from Nicaragua and Panama, 23 who were asymptomatic have tested positive for the new coronavirus and others who showed symptoms were turned away without tests, officials said Thursday.

The results are another sign that the spread of the virus in Nicaragua could be greater than its government has acknowledged. Nicaragua has reported only 25 confirmed cases and eight deaths. Its government has not imposed social distancing measures and continues to promote mass gatherings.

On Tuesday, a Nicaraguan truck driver was treated after fainting at the Costa Rican border and later tested positive for the coronavirus. Costa Rican authorities confirmed two other positive tests at a crossing from Nicaragua on the first day of testing last week, but did not immediately respond to a request for a breakdown of drivers' nationalities. They conducted 230 tests that first day.

Officials have not said how many drivers have been denied entry into Costa Rica for displaying possible symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The virus results in mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but it can cause more severe illness or death for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.

Marvin Altamirano, president of the Nicaraguan Truck Drivers’ Association, said that so far it had confirmation of five infected drivers.

“Yesterday we had 600 trucks held up and today we have 800 stopped in a line 23 kilometers (14 miles) long,” Altamirano said. “The losses are $100 per day per stopped truck.”

He said the association had asked the Nicaraguan government to intervene and propose that truck drivers be tested once a month in Managua.

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