"Romeria"
Cancelled and Basilica Will Be Closed On Aug
2 For Fear Of Massive Infection Of
AH1N1
In an unprecedented decision, the ministerio
de Salud and the Catholic church agreed to
suspend this year's "romeria", annual walk
to Cartago to pay homage to the Virgen de
los Angeles, "La Negrita". The measure to
avoid massive infection of the AH1N1 flu
virus that has already claimed 12 lives in
Costa Rica.
The ministra de Salud, María Luisa Ávila,
explained that some 20.000 could become
infected during the romeria that is expected
to draw more than two million people, both
nationals and foreigners, in the first two
days of August.
The romeria has been an annual event for the
last 227 years, as faithful Catholics visit
La Negrita to ask for a miracle or pay her
back for her favours.
According to Catholic traidtion, Juana
Periera found the small statue of the Virgen
in 1635 on a stone at the edge of a river.
Ministra Ávila explained that according to
epidemiological studies, 90% of Costa Ricans
are sucseptible to infection and there
exists a high risk that the "romeros" could
spread the virus to every corner of the
country.
The ministra added that the majority of the
infected are from the Central Valley and the
fatalities where of those in the high risk
group, such as obesity, diabetics, the
hypertense, those with respiratory problems,
pregnant women and smokers.
Catholic priest, Jorge Eddy Solórzano,
rector of the Basílica de Los Ángeles
launched an appeal to the devout to desist
from making the traditional pilgrimage.
Solórzano added that the Basílica will be be
closed on August 2, the day where
traditional activities take place honouring
the Virgen. |
