Cuba reported a peak of 365 new coronavirus infections on Saturday and the highest number of active cases since the start of the pandemic. Health authorities attribute it to the arrival of travelers after the opening of airports and non-compliance with biosecurity protocols.
The 2,332 active cases are a record since March, when the virus’s presence was reported in the country, the director of epidemiology, Francisco Durán, said in a special appearance on national television to announce the epidemic of the “complex situation”. to make.
Duran pointed out in an alarmed tone that even provinces with more than 150 days without reporting, such as Santiago de Cuba, Granma and Guantánamo – in the eastern part of the country – showed positive this week.
The 365 new cases reported in one day on Saturday, although they correspond to the end of Friday, represent a new outbreak on the island, which kept the infections under control with an active door-to-door investigation policy and rapid detection, in addition to mandatory isolation and cancellation of flights.
The day before a government meeting chaired by President Miguel Díaz-Canel reported that measures to close new spaces and paralysis are being studied, depending on the situation in each area, including Havana.
The reopening of the airports in November and the arrival of both foreign and Cuban residents who came to visit their relatives led to an increase and, above all, spread in almost all provinces of the country, explained the epidemiologist Durán.
“And it is not (just) the traveler, it is the failure to comply with the measures,” said Durán, who insisted that in many cases the families receiving these people did not comply with the protocol according to which, after an initial negative test in the The airport has to remain isolated at home for a week and wait for the result of a second check.
Instead, there were gatherings, the presence of people without the mandatory chin strap, leaving the house early, visits, and the end of year celebrations made the problem even worse. According to Durán, between 80 and 90% of infections are proven contacts from imported cases.
But he also recognized shortcomings in the mechanism of the application of diagnostic tests, because health personnel did not appear in many homes for the second test or the check-up of travelers.
Durán said controls will be tightened with sanctions, court proceedings and fines – a decree was issued last year to punish the spread of epidemics – for those who disrespect social aloofness, respect travel protocols, or stop wearing their chin straps.
Two weeks ago and as the numbers grew, Cuba reduced the number of flights and entry of people from the United States – where the largest number of emigrants live – Mexico and Panama, among others. He also announced that from January 10, a negative test will be required of the shipment in the country of origin.
The country has 14,188 positive cases of COVID-19 of which 148 people died. So far, no mention has been made of the collapse of health services.