We have been following the situation in Cuba with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic (Coronavirus in the Caribbean; Yuri Gonzalez-Hernandez, Report on the Status of COVID-19 Preparation in Cuba). At the time preparatory measures were being developed and Cuba remained free of the virus--at least to their knowledge.
COVID-19 has now reached Cuba. And it was not surprising how it reached the Island. Tourism (a driving force in the economy and one the flow of which Cuba can ill afford to reduce) from Italy appears to have accounted for one vector (here; and El antes y el después de los tres primeros casos confirmados). Another was returning Cuban nationals from trips abroad to places where the infections rates were already starting to grow quickly (e.g., Italy). The later was cause for more concern because of the possibility of transmission. But it is likley to early to determine the dispersion effects of these small number of cases for the moment. Cuba has suspended its consular services in Italy at least through 3 April, making containment more difficult (Cerró Cuba los servicios consulares presenciales en Italia por Covid-19).
And now, with the rise of COVID-19 containment measures in the United States, it is feared that air travel between the US and Cuba will be further and adversely affected. In the meantime, state authorities are dealing with potential panic as the population fears that a lack of medicine and medical facilities may overwhelm the state's ability to treat a quickly growing infected population. This fear has been countered by the state and Party news organs which now guarantee the availability of treatment drugs (Biocubafarma garantizará producción de los 22 medicamentos para el tratamiento del Covid-19). And now the state is faced with the possibility that COVID-19 infection rates may not be substantially affected by rising temperatures.
At the same time, and like many other states, Cuban authorities have been circulating information on disinfecting objects that may carry substantial potential for spreading the virus (Breve guía sobre cómo desinfectar celulares y otros dispositivos electrónicos). Cuban authorities have also been circulating informaiton on labor protection for empoyees who may become ill (¿Qué normas regularían la protección laboral ante presuntos impactos de Covid-19?). At the same time, Cuban authorities note that their medical professionals abroad have been able to avoid infection while performing their duties; "De los países con colaboración médica cubana . . .Qatar, Argelia,
China, Sudáfrica y Kuwait tienen casos infectados en su población; no,
obstante, «nuestro personal está protegido, y no ha tenido contacto con
los pacientes enfermos" (Solidarios y precavidos: cooperantes cubanos sin Covid-19 (of the states with Cuban medical personnel, Qatar, Argelia, China, South Africa, and Kuwait, each with infected people, nonethelessCuban personnel have been protected and have no contact with infected patients)). On the other hand, it is likely that current policy respecting Cuban sports teams will have to be revised as the suspension of sporting events becomes more common in the US and Europe (Deporte cubano toma medidas frente al Covid-19). And unlike the actions taken elsewhere, Cuban authorities (at least for the moment) continue to declare an unwillingness to close schools (Solo en situación extrema se valorará cierre de las escuelas en Cuba, dice Ministra de Educación). Still, Cuban authorities have affirmed that they have plans in place to meet the treat of the virus and a potential infection of the population:
El Ministro de Salud Pública puntualizó que en Cuba se ha organizado la vigilancia epidemiológica a través de la pesquisa activa a viajeros y pacientes con síntomas respiratorios. Ya están habilitadas 1 322 camas en 11 hospitales y 824 en diez centros de aislamiento. Además, se ha establecido el proceso asistencial, según los protocolos, en las salas de hospitalización y en las terapias intensivas. (Ante el Covid-19, convoca Díaz-Canel a intensificar las medidas y a seguir trabajando con el pueblo) ("The Minister of Public Health pointed out that epidemiological surveillance has been organized in Cuba through active research on travelers and patients with respiratory symptoms. 1,322 beds are already enabled in 11 hospitals and 824 in ten isolation centers. In addition, the care process has been established, according to protocols, in hospital wards and in intensive care.")
These are the stories that have been circulating in the Cuban, and Cuban-American Press in recent days. Links to some of the articles may be accessed below.
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Solidarios y precavidos: cooperantes cubanos sin Covid-19
La Unidad Central de Colaboración Médica (uccm) de Cuba sostiene que el 100 % de nuestros cooperantes de la salud en el mundo, se mantienen libres de contagio, de Covid-19. Foto: Nuria Barbosa León De acuerdo con la información ofrecida por el doctor Jorge Hidalgo Bustillo, director de la Unidad Central de Colaboración Médica (UCCM), los 28 268 cooperantes de 61 brigadas médicas que operan en igual cifra de países, se encuentran libres de sospecha.
¿Qué normas regularían la protección laboral ante presuntos impactos de Covid-19?
El Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social llama la atención sobre algunas de las normas que permitirían, según las circunstancias específicas, regular el tratamiento laboral, salarial y de seguridad social, bajo la premisa de que la protección a los trabajadores está garantizada
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