One of the three Italians confirmed to have COVID-19 in Cuba is in a “critical stable” condition, after his health began to deteriorate Sunday night.
The 61-year-old patient with a history of bronchial asthma, “started presenting clinical manifestations of complications of the disease, for which he received treatment according to the established protocol,” according to a note from the island’s Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), published this Monday evening.
“Today, March 16, in the 12 noon report, his condition has continued to deteriorate, which is why he has required artificial ventilation, his condition being reported as stable critical,” adds the note, which explains that “a medical team of specialists in intensive care and the group of experts from the Ministry of Public Health maintain constant care and follow-up.”
The MINSAP statement assures that so far there are “only four confirmed cases of COVID-19” in Cuba, who are hospitalized in the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK). It specifies that “the rest of the patients ―two Italians and one Cuban― maintain a stable clinical evolution” and that their direct contacts continue “under strict surveillance.”
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A previous statement, also from this Monday, reports that, in addition to the confirmed cases, to date 317 people have been hospitalized under epidemiological surveillance, comprising travelers arriving in Cuba and their contacts on the island. Meanwhile, a total of 18,953 people are being monitored under the primary health care system.
It also affirms that “746 cases of acute respiratory infection have been registered in Cuba, of which 304 were positive for respiratory viruses, influenza type A prevailing. In relation to COVID-19, nine patients tested negative yesterday.”
The note explains that since January 25, 24,755 travelers from countries with transmission have arrived on the island, and that currently reinforced surveillance is being carried out at borders for travelers from the nations with the highest number of cases, such as the United States, France, Spain, Germany, China, Japan, Italy and South Korea.
However, this Monday Dr. Carmelo Trujillo Machado, National Head of the MINSAP International Health Control Program, affirmed at a press conference that epidemiological surveillance is currently being carried out for 14 days on 100% of travelers who arrive in Cuba, as part of the ongoing government plan for the prevention and control of the disease on the island.
