Cuba reported a peak of 365 new coronavirus infections on Saturday and the highest number of active cases since the pandemic began. The health authorities attribute it to the arrival of passengers after the opening of airports and non-compliance with biosecurity protocols.
The 2,332 active cases are a record since March when the virus was reported in the country, epidemiology director Francisco Durán said in a special appearance on national television to make the “complex situation” epidemic public.
Duran said in an alarming tone that provinces with more than 150 days without reporting cases, such as Santiago de Cuba, Granma and Guantánamo – in the eastern part of the country – were positive this week.
The 365 new cases in a single day reported on Saturday, although corresponding to the end of Friday, represent a recurrence on the island, which kept infections under control with an active policy of house-to-house investigation 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 the space and paralysis are being studied according to the situation in each territory, including Havana.
The reopening of airports in November and the arrival of both foreign and Cuban residents who came to see their relatives led to an increase and, above all, dispersal in almost all provinces of the country, explained epidemiologist Durán.
“And it’s not (only) the passenger, it’s non-compliance,” said Durán, who insisted that in many cases families who received these people did not follow the protocol that, after a first negative test at the airport, they should be isolated home for a week and wait for the result of a second check.
Instead, meetings took place, the presence of people without a mandatory cord, leaving the house early, visits and parties at the end of the year aggravated the problem. According to Durán, between 80 and 90% of infections are proven contacts of imported cases.
But he also acknowledged the shortcomings of the mechanism of applying diagnostic tests, because medical staff did not show up in many homes for the second test or for passenger control.
Durán said that controls will be strengthened with sanctions, lawsuits and fines – a decree was issued last year to punish the spread of epidemics – to those who do not respect social distance, travel protocols or stop carrying baskets.
Two weeks ago and when the number was growing, Cuba reduced flights and the entry of people from the United States – where the largest number of emigrants live – Mexico and Panama, among others. In addition, he announced that, starting with January 10, a negative test will be required from shipment to the country of origin.
The country is accumulating 14,188 positive cases of COVID-19, of which 148 people have died. To date, the collapse of health services has not been reported.