Waves swelling up to 20 feet during the past couple of days have led the National Emergency Commission (CNE) to declare a green, preventive alert for the Caribbean and northern Pacific coasts, according to a statement from the commission.

By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff | aroberson@ticotimes.net

Costa Rican health authorities Wednesday launched a campaign aimed at vaccinating 290,000 people at risk for catching the flu virus, including the elderly and children, according to Isabel Fernández, Social Security System (Caja) immunization director.

The Caja has paired up with the Public Health Ministry to offer flu vaccinations to all adults ages 65 and older and to children ages six months to 8 years who have lung or heart conditions that predispose them to catching the flu. The groups are also at risk for contracting pneumonia and other respiratory diseases that can result from a case of the flu.

Those who qualify for vaccinations may receive them at clinics in their area. However, the shots for children ages 3 and under are not yet available because authorities have not received them from the Pan-American Health Organization, Fernández said. These shots will likely be here in March, and the $2 million campaign will run through May.

This is the fourth annual flu vaccination campaign that has been carried out in Costa Rica, and the Caja hopes to continue it every year, according to Fernández.

The Chamber of Industries yesterday released a statement expressing its concern over a request by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) to hike tariffs for electricity.

ICE presented the request to the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) on Dec. 22, just hours before the office closed for the holidays, reported the daily La Nación. Electricity tariffs for residences would increase 18.21%, while businesses would pay an additional 15.36%.

The chamber is “highly worried” that there is a discrepancy between this increase and Costa Rica's inflation rate and that “an increase this high would affect the cost of industrial projects in the country,” said its president Jack Liberman, according to the statement. Inflation this year reached a 14-year low of 9.43%.

The chamber also fears the increase could drive up the price of export production, making Costa Rica less competitive on the international market.

ICE spokeswoman Geovanni Bonilla told La Nación the increase would barely cover the rising costs of operation and investments, which have been affected by inflation and the devaluation of the colón.

ARESEP has three months from the time it received the request to approve or deny it, according to la Nación.

-Tico Times

Waves swelling up to 20 feet during the past couple of days have led the National Emergency Commission (CNE) to declare a green, preventive alert for the Caribbean and northern Pacific coasts, according to a statement from the commission.

According to data from the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), winds up to 37 kilometers per hour have caused these powerful waves, which could persist through Saturday.

The CNE is working with the Atlantic Port Authority (JAPDEVA) to ensure the safety of ships docking at the Caribbean port of Limón, and the commission also recommends that those visiting beaches in the Caribbean and northern Pacific use extra caution as strong winds are creating not only giant waves, but also strong undercurrents.

-Tico Times