The business and institutional systems of this province join forces to increase available beds in health institutions, precisely, when they are approaching their current limit, in the midst of the worst outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in this territory.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- At the beginning of this week, 70 percent of the beds in intensive care units were occupied, and 86 percent of those in hospitals and other centers for the care of high-risk patients, sick or not from COVID-19. One out of every two of the existing ones was also occupied in the adapted facilities to function as units for the care of medium and low-risk patients infected with the new coronavirus.

To face this situation, several companies and institutions tense their forces under the perennial monitoring of the Temporary Working Group for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19, on the Balcony of Eastern Cuba. In this sense, one of the most relevant fronts is the work of the brigade of 25 workers from the Construction and Assembly Company (CONALZA) that is full-time at Dr. Ernesto Guevara de la Serna General Teaching Hospital to conclude, in the next few days, the adaptation of two premises in the polyclinic area, which will make it possible to increase 100 beds.

Meanwhile, the Temporal Group indicated to accelerate the pertinent actions that make another 100 beds operational, but for convalescents from COVID-19 at the Alberto Arcos Luque comprehensive training school. This would release the 48 that are occupied for that purpose in the "Guevara.” Achieving it would imply the contribution of other entities such as Local Industries (VASCAL), the Forestry, Furniture (LUDEMA), Stainless Steel (ACINOX), and Metal Structures (METUNAS), which will provide other necessary items such as wood and mattresses.

"There cannot be a NO as an answer, but rather to think about what options to look for in the face of each difficulty," stressed Manuel René Pérez Gallego, first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) in the province.

NO CROSSED ARMS

Additionally, a new reorganization of the services currently provided by the "Ernesto Guevara" will take place, so that only those essential will remain there. The rest will be relocated to the health areas of the city of Las Tunas. On the other hand, and led by the Provincial Center of Electromedicine, experts from different state companies will be summoned to advance in the repair of dissimilar medical equipment required by hospitalization wards for critically ill patients.

Health specialists and other institutions will continue to evaluate new options that allow for more beds, not only in the main hospital; but, also, in the "Guillermo Domínguez," in the city of Puerto Padre; and in the centers for the attention to suspects and patients of medium-risk scattered throughout the Las Tunas geography.

Other matters that are subject to constant review by local authorities are those related to the supply to hospitals of medicinal oxygen and various types of food. The Provincial Collection Company is placing 10 quintals of agricultural products daily in the "Guevara” and a total of 21, every three days, in the different centers, in which suspected or positive patients for SARS-CoV-2 of medium or high risks.

The Temporary Group indicated to enhance the performance of the small temporary stay wards created together with the consultations for people suffering from acute respiratory infections in the different health areas of the provincial capital. At the same level, the management body insisted, it is urgent to perfect the mechanisms for classification and transfer of patients.
During the week, a real-time monitoring system of vehicles enabled for the transfer of patients will be implemented, in charge of the Provincial Passenger and General Cargo Transport Company (CARDINAL) to make more rational and efficient use of them.

In the first nine days of August, Las Tunas reached a record number of 2,337 positive cases for COVID-19, a figure much higher than in the analogous period of July when 790 were notified, which until now was the highest registered in that time frame. Consequently, the mathematical models anticipate that, by August 16, the total of positives during August could reach 2,483.