Nicaragua, an outlier in the battle against the coronavirus, has kept its schools and shops open and its streets lively. But there is one person who has not been seen in public since the outbreak began there last month: the president.

Daniel Ortega, the head of the country’s socialist government, has been conspicuously absent from public view since March 12, when he attended a virtual meeting. He has failed to attend the funeral of a friend, government functions, and even the rallies promoted by his administration.

His absence has led to a social media meme. “Be like Ortega: Stay Home,” it says, contrasting what the Nicaraguan leader appears to be doing with what his administration is recommending to the population.

Mr. Ortega, 74, is widely believed to suffer chronic illnesses and is known for spending stretches of time out of the public eye without explanation from his government.