Weeks ago, it was unimaginable for some that this province would report such high numbers of positive patients for COVID-19 in one day; others, instead, already predicted a sad turnaround to the reality of that time.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- And it is not that the seconds had a kind of magic ball to predict the future, it was enough to stop to look at the human folly in the long queues, the busy streets, or the celebrations. There were no alert calls or outbreaks in nearby territories that stopped those who, clearly, lost their fear of the terrible disease.

Numbers say a lot but not as much as they would like; because pain cannot be quantified, nor the psychological damage that persists even after suffering it. This time it is not an unexpected situation that caused some delay in the processing of the samples. Dr. Aldo Cortés González, deputy director of the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology, says it very clearly: "It is the behavior that could be expected from the complex national epidemiological panorama and the breach of the new code of life established to face the pandemic.”

Added to this, he said, are the new circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 that; although the variants present in this eastern province have not been demonstrated, the high reproductive rate speaks of a similar panorama to that of neighboring territories. "Here we have several susceptible people, even greater than that of other localities, because until now the virus had low circulation, and when this context changes, infections increase.

“For each confirmed, about 10 contacts and three or four suspects are detected; these latter generate two new patients on average, which, in turn, involve many other people the same at home, in the community, as well as in the workplace. This is what we call case reproduction. Therefore, the 'explosion' of positives is due to non-compliance with the guidelines," he said.

This panorama increases the probability of reporting more patients in serious condition and deaths, mainly in extreme ages, he indicated. In recent times, there has been a rise in diagnosed children under 19 years of age.

As long as there are various strains in the world and people who come from other places, mainly from Russia, there is a risk of introduction to the country, he explained. However, regardless of the variant, it is necessary to maintain biosecurity measures, immobilization of people, and physical distancing. "Each of the indications seeks that we do not face SARS-CoV-2 or the disease appear, in addition to stopping the transmission from sick to healthy."

In the province, the Health areas of the Manuel (Piti) Fajardo and Gustavo Aldereguía polyclinics, in the provincial capital, continue to be those with the highest incidence. The authorities are also concerned about the spread of those diagnosed in the urban area of the municipality of Colombia. “Whenever parties, funerals, or group events are held, there is a dispersed transmission. These are not times for visits or family gatherings; it only must be done what is strictly necessary and complying with all the rules.”

The doctor highlighted the work of the professionals of the Molecular Biology Laboratory, whose PCR diagnoses show a one hundred percent agreement with those issued by the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine, according to the most recent control.

The work of the Health sector, he said, is aimed at increasing isolation centers to admit all suspects and direct contacts in each case, and in the first hours of patient confirmation.

Likewise, it is urgent to improve surveillance and inquiries not only by health personnel but also by the administrations in the work centers that maintain their activity. "We need community leaders and people who support the performance of the doctor and nurse so that they can dedicate themselves to caring for the vulnerable and collaborate in isolation centers."

Timely detection will shorten the time between the onset of the patient's symptoms and arrival at the Health facilities to receive assistance and treatment; and thus reduce the serious, critical, and deceased. To this are added elementary issues such as achieving a higher quality of work, personal improvement, adherence to protocols and health requirements, with the application of measures to the undisciplined.

“We are responsible for the perpetuation of the epidemic in the country. Success depends not only on the will, the availability of resources and vaccines, it is also necessary the conscious action of the citizens; that we, as social beings, assume once and for all the new guidelines such as the path and essential to controlling the spread ”, concluded the doctor.