In Nicaragua, a Health Ministry spokesperson says President Daniel Ortega is unlikely to order residents to remain at home or to practice strict social distancing measures to combat the coronavirus. Tens of thousands of Nicaraguans are remaining at home voluntarily, after reports of the first COVID-19-related death and at least five confirmed cases.

In neighboring El Salvador, two deaths have been reported among nearly 50 confirmed cases, though testing remains extremely limited. Residents of rural communities in El Salvador are struggling to get information about the pandemic, and health advocates warn many people have no access to hospitals or other health resources.