17:21

Covid-19 cases have risen to 201 in Costa Rica but there is growing hope the virus could be contained in the Central America country.

No community transmission of the disease has been officially recorded in Costa Rica, the health ministry confirmed again on Wednesday, amid stringent nationwide measures to control the spread of the virus.

The government implemented strict social distancing rules early in the outbreak, including banning tourists from entering the country, closing most public areas and asking the public to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.

Ministerio de Salud (@msaludcr) Estos son los datos actualizados al mediodía de hoy del COVID-19 en Costa Rica. Esta es información oficial. #EstaEnTusManos pic.twitter.com/7xPnFmEdcJ

In neighbouring Panama, a nationwide curfew is in force after 443 confirmed cases and eight deaths were recorded on Tuesday. The country has the largest outbreak in Central America and the number of confirmed cases has increased rapidly in the last week.