Cuba remained to report on Friday a very high number of COVID-19 infections as part of the worst segment of the health crisis prompted by the pandemic.
Havana, Cuba.— On Friday, 28 fatalities associated with the disease were announced, and the alarming number of 6 422 new cases. The National Director of Epidemiology, Dr. Francisco Durán, said 24 330 active cases were hospitalized, the largest number ever, showing the complexity of the epidemiological situation.
The province of Matanzas, the current epicenter of the pandemic, reported 3 559 cases. For the second time this week, President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz visited the territory to join local authorities and the team of high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Public Health deployed in the territory.
A contingent of the Henry Reeve Brigade arrived earlier in the week to join local health personnel to handle the crisis. During the day, other territories with high incidence were Havana with 524 cases, Santiago de Cuba with, 366 and Guantánamo with 322.
MATANZAS WILL OVERCOME THE CURRENT COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Matanzas.- The measures adopted in Matanzas and the Government's total support put that territory in better conditions to overcome the outbreak of COVID-19. However, there are still very complex weeks ahead, said Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez on Friday, during a meeting with local authorities.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero and several ministers also attended the meeting. The governmental delegation was briefed on the epidemiological situation of the western province and the actions to support the territory in terms of medical brigades, food, and other resources, said the Presidency of Cuba on Twitter.
Public Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda described the situation in Matanzas as very complex due to the circulation of the beta and delta strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
A total of 10,800 cases have been confirmed in 15 days. On Friday, after analyzing 9062 samples, 3557 patients were diagnosed with the virus.
To support the territory in controlling the epidemic, the minister added that 165 doctors and 182 nurses from several provinces are already there, joining professionals from the medical services of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
The molecular biology laboratory has also been reinforced with specialists from the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute, reported Cuban News Agency (ACN).
Likewise, more than 300 recent medical graduates are joining the fight against the epidemic; the number of PCRs has increased from 1,700 to 2,500, and 112 isolation and care centers have been opened.
Incidentally, Díaz-Canel said that the province would continue to create capacities to admit COVID-19 positive patients, but uncomplicated patients will remain at home for the time being. This requires rigor and different work from primary health care.
The Head of State described the analysis carried out by the province as very critical and praised the spirit of local authorities who are not giving signals of despair.
This Friday's governmental visit is the second this week to the province of Matanzas, which is currently the epicenter of the pandemic in the country. (RHC)
