{"id":215742,"date":"2020-03-19T13:17:55","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T17:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=215742"},"modified":"2020-03-19T13:17:55","modified_gmt":"2020-03-19T17:17:55","slug":"cuba-prioritizes-prevention-of-covid-19-in-the-elderly-according-to-minsap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/cuba-prioritizes-prevention-of-covid-19-in-the-elderly-according-to-minsap\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuba prioritizes prevention of COVID-19 in the elderly, according to MINSAP"},"content":{"rendered":"

As part of the plan for the prevention and control of COVID-19<\/a> in Cuba, the island\u2019s Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) is prioritizing the care of the elderly, considered a population group at high risk for the disease.<\/p>\n

This was stated this Tuesday by Dr. Alberto Fern\u00e1ndez Seco, head of the Department for the Elderly, Social Assistance and Mental Health of MINSAP, who at a press conference affirmed that his ministry has redoubled preventive measures among those over 60, a population sector that exceeds two million people in Cuba, 20.8% of the Cuban population, and that has aggravating factors such as decreased immune capacity and chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and respiratory disorders.<\/p>\n

Fern\u00e1ndez Seco explained that there is currently an active investigation among these persons, with an emphasis on those who live alone, who are around 15% of the total. In addition, he said that specific measures have been adopted for the institutions that serve this age group, including nursing homes and grandparents\u2019 homes, of which there are 155 and 293 throughout the country, respectively.<\/p>\n

These centers\u2019 workers have been trained to detect suspicious symptoms and daily exams are carried out, both on older adults and on the workers themselves, and the steps to be followed, including medical treatment, in the event of detection of sick persons. Control of passes and visits has also been strengthened, and restrictions have been established to prevent possible contagion.<\/p>\n

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El Dr. Alberto Fern\u00e1ndez Seco, Jefe del Programa Nacional de Atenci\u00f3n al Adulto Mayor, Asistencia Social y Salud Mental del #MINSAP<\/a> explica las medidas de prevenci\u00f3n para los adultos mayores, grupo poblacional de mayor riesgo ante la #COVID19<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/AUlg9flg50<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ministerio de Salud P\u00fablica de Cuba (@MINSAPCuba) March 17, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n