To date, there are no reported cases of coronavirus in Cuba. In case of occurrence, the Government of Cuba will immediately inform the population.
However, the possibility of introducing the virus into Cuba is real, based on the international context.
The Plan for the Prevention and Control of the novel coronavirus approved by the Council of Ministers in January 2020 has been updated and broadened.
Cuba has extensive experience in dealing with any type of epidemic as part of the domestic health system, as it was demonstrated in the work done against Ebola, dengue, and H1N1, both in the country and in solidarity with other nations.
Control measures have been stepped up at the points of entry to the national territory, in marinas, ports and airports. There are scanners that constantly check the temperature of travelers, particularly those visitors from countries with an incidence of coronavirus cases. It is required to fill out a document in which the visitor declares his/her health status. In addition, a list of travelers has been drawn up and sent to all the territories with information of interest such as the country of origin and the place where the visitor will be staying during his/her stay in Cuba.
A process of technical preparation is executed on the disease and its symptoms for those who work at the points of entry to the country and in the domestic health system, as well as the means of protection they should use.
Systematic work is being carried out with the General Customs of the Republic and the Migrations and Foreign Citizens Bureau to find out in advance about people travelling to Cuba from countries that are infected with the novel coronavirus.
The main protection measures to be adopted by the population are widely spread.
The health centers and hospitals to be used in each of the provinces have been defined. In the first stage, there are more than 3,100 beds throughout the country for the treatment of this disease, which may be increased in accordance with the transmission behavior in the event that cases of COVID-19 are detected. There are also more than 100 beds available for intensive care. The main military hospitals have been made available to the national health system for these purposes.
The necessary protocols for the treatment of the disease have been developed by a group of experts in the management of respiratory and severe patient diseases. In the outpatient department of the provincial hospitals there will be a specialized consultation, only for the care of respiratory conditions and main symptoms, with the appropriate conditions.
The Government has financially supported the acquisition of the necessary resources to deal with this illness, not only medicines, but also expendable material, means of protection, equipment for intensive therapy, spare parts, etc.
BioCubaFarma business group is working on a project to develop a Cuban anti-viral, CIGB 210, as well as a vaccinal candidate for consideration by China, and rapid strips for the diagnosis of the disease.
Instructive meetings with the population are developed at community level and in the institutions.
The population has been advised not to travel to countries with an incidence of the disease.
Interesting websites in Cuba to check updated and official information
www.presidencia.gob.cu (Presidency of the Republic)
https://salud.msp.gob.cu (Ministry of Public Health)
www.sld.cu (Infomed)
covid19@infomed.sld.cu (e-mail account for questions and answers)
apklis.cu (mobile phone application with useful information)
Cuban Embassy in Austria
Vienna, 10 March 2020, 14:30 hours.
(Embacuba Austria)