From March 11, 2020 to the same day in 2021, so much has happened, and it has been so unusual, that what was experienced overflows the pages of a newspaper
Author: Yisell Rodríguez Milan | yisell@granma.cu
Author: Yudy Castro Morales | yudy@granma.cu
Author: Susana Antón Rodriguez | susana@granma.cu
Author: Mailenys Oliva Ferrales | internet@granma.cu
Author: Ronald Suárez Rivas | ronald@granma.cu
March 11, 2021 01:03:28
Voices from around the world review the first year of this dangerous pandemic, which upset the agendas of the planet.
From March 11, 2020 to the same day in 2021, so much has happened, and it has been so unusual, that what has been experienced overflows the pages of a newspaper.
But we are alive, and with the faith deposited that a day will come without deceased, without serious cases, without sick people. Hoping for mass immunization and the power of solidarity, we propose a summary of what happened in Cuba during the cycle that is closing.
1. National plan for the prevention and control of the new coronavirus
Before the appearance of the first cases, Cuba had designed and started to implement a Plan of measures to deal with the disease.
Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Party, had indicated the need for a national strategy that would be enriched as SARS-COV-2 is better known.
With that indication, on January 29, 2020, the Council of Ministers approved a Plan for the Prevention and Control of the disease. On February 12, the Science Group to Cope with COVID-19 was created. On the 17th and 26th of the same month, the COVID-19 Health Observatory and the Innovation Committee were established, respectively.
On February 28, the first five research projects for COVID-19 were approved. The 1st. In June, 460 investigations were carried out, of which 85 were directed by the Science Group of the National Technical Group
On March 3, 2020, the Party’s Political Bureau approved an update of the Plan, with 497 measures; Taking the results into account, on June 9, a strategy for the post-COVID-19 recovery stage was adopted with 220 measures to be implemented in three phases. It was approved by the Executive Committee and the Council of Ministers on June 10.
2. First cases of COVID-19 reported in Cuba
On March 10, 2020, four Italian tourists with respiratory symptoms were identified, staying in a hostel in the city of Trinidad, province of Sancti Spíritus. They were immediately admitted to the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) in Havana.
On March 11, 2020, the IPK National Reference Laboratory reported that three of the four tourists isolated from day 10 tested positive for the new SARS-COV-2 coronavirus. That same day the disease was considered a pandemic at the international level by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Army General and the President activated all the provincial defense councils, in reduced composition, to support the confrontational actions. The activation, if necessary, of some municipal defense councils was also foreseen.
3. Non-stop press conferences establish a bond with the people
One of the most important communication events of 2020 was the daily transmission, through national television, of the press conference of the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap), led by Dr. Francisco Durán García, national director of Epidemiology, who has responded to the people all kinds of concerns related to the evolution of the pandemic in the nation, contributing to raise the perception of risk and the need to strengthen hygienic-sanitary measures.
4. First deceased in Cuba
At dawn on March 18, the 61-year-old patient of Italian nationality died, who was admitted to the intensive care room of the IPK, in critical condition. It was a sad moment for the nation.
5. The first Cuban carrier of the coronavirus is also the first medical discharge
The first Cuban to carry the new coronavirus, the young Jesús Álvarez, a resident of Santa Clara, was also the first to be discharged.
6. The person with the longest admission stay, due to COVID-19
On May 22, 2020, the Villa Clara nurse Yaquelín Collado Rodríguez was discharged from the Comandante Manuel Fajardo Military Hospital, after spending 59 days in hospital, of which 37 remained in intensive care in critical or serious condition.
She became ill while on a mission in Venezuela, and it was one of the most complex COVID cases faced by Cuban medical science.
7. Neither pregnant women nor children have died
On March 22, 2020, Santiago de Cuba reported the first COVID-19 positive child in the country. Almost a year later, on March 2, 2021, the first birth of a mother with COVID-19 and in critical condition was reported, an event that occurred in Villa Clara. In Cuba we had a child with Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome, who evolved favorably; two cases of Kawasaki disease, associated with COVID-19, with good progress as well, and an adolescent with Hemophagocytic Syndrome, also linked to the new coronavirus, who had severe organ dysfunction, but is already recovering. No child or adolescent has died as a result of this epidemic, but more than 6,300 have been infected.
8. Cuba receives the British cruiser MS Braemar when nobody dared
In a humanitarian act worthy of Cuba, we received in Havana on March 18, 2020, the British cruise ship MS Braemar, from the British cruise company Fed Olsen, which was carrying 682 passengers and 381 crew members, with five positive cases for COVID-19 , and another 40 suspected of carrying the new coronavirus, reasons for which it was rejected in several Caribbean ports since the end of February. The Cuban government was the only one that responded to the humanitarian request.
9. The return to Cuba of thousands of citizens stranded abroad is guaranteed
According to data from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from March 21 to October 2020, 94 charter flights were made, in which more than 5,700 Cubans stranded in 56 countries returned. Consular assistance was provided to Cuban crew members enrolled in more than 12 cruise ships and more than 20 merchant ships, which were paralyzed in ports in different countries.
During that year, the Cuban Government implemented, among other measures, the automatic and cost-free extension of the uninterrupted stay abroad of Cuban citizens residing in the country beyond the established 24 months, as of March 19, 2020. .
10. The brigades of the International Contingent of Specialized Doctors in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics Henry Reeve leave to face COVID-19 around the world
On March 15, in Havana, the first brigade to Venezuela was fired as advisers. Since then, Cuba has sent 56 Henry Reeve brigades to 40 countries. Professionals from this medical force have treated 1,090,799 people in Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia; at the same time that the Cuban protocol of action has been extended to other nations, details the website of the MINSAP.
In recognition of this work, an intense international movement requests the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for our doctors.
11. Donations and solidarity aid to Cuba
In 2020 shipments were received from, mainly, agencies of the United Nations system, and solidarity countries. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment counted more than 400 offers from 27 nations and eight international cooperation agencies, in addition to aid to individuals. A bank account was also created for those who generously wanted to make financial donations.
12. The network of laboratories for the diagnosis of COVID-19 grows
At the beginning of the epidemic, the country had four such institutions, with a capacity of one hundred daily tests. It currently has 22 molecular biology laboratories, which process around 20,000 tests per day. The Mayabeque province laboratory is in the start-up phase.
13. Cuba has five vaccine candidates and may become the first Latin American and Caribbean country to produce its own vaccine against COVID-19
The Greater Antilles has five vaccine candidates in clinical trials in different phases: Soberana 01 and Soberana 02, from the Finlay Vaccine Institute; Abdala (CIGB-66) and Mambisa (CIGB-669), from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, and Soberana Plus, recently incorporated. The latter is one of the formulations evaluated in the Soberana 01 project, which will be developed as a booster vaccine and will be used in convalescent patients or in combination with other vaccines.
The Island’s vaccine program against COVID-19 began in May 2020, and clinical studies began in August, with two formulations of Soberana 01. These vaccine candidates were approved after rigorous testing and approval by the Center for Control State of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices (Cecmed).
14. The novelty of hyperimmune plasma or survival
The use of hyperimmune plasma from convalescent COVID-19 patients began in Cuba in April 2020 as one of the treatment alternatives to face the pandemic.
15. The Protocol of action of the Ministry of Public Health
In May 2020, the MINSAP published the National Action Protocol for COVID-19. In August, an updated version was presented to optimize case management and reinforce the protection of health workers and the population. The latest version dates from January 2021 and includes news related to high-risk and asymptomatic patients.
16. Recombinant Human Interferon Alpha 2B, PrevengHo-vir, Biomodulin-t and Itolizumab
Recombinant Human Interferon Alpha 2B, from as early as February 2020, became known as one of the drugs used effectively in China against the coronavirus.
In Cuba, the PrevengHo-vir, used as a preventive method since April 2020, has been part of the applied treatments; the Jusvinza, authorized for emergency use; Biomodulin t, applied in adults aged 60 and over, and Itolizumab, as an anti-inflammatory therapy treatment in patients with COVID-19.
17. Cuba achieves its first innovation based on nanotechnology: a PCR sample diagnostician
In February 2021, the design and production of a PCR sample diagnostician was presented, the first innovation based on nanotechnology and developed by researchers from the Center for Advanced Studies.
18. BioCen succeeded in developing the first means of transport for viruses manufactured in Cuba
Researchers from the National Center for Biopreparations (BioCen) developed in October 2020 the first means of transport for viruses manufactured in Cuba, intended for the collection and transfer of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal clinical samples from patients for the diagnosis of SARS-COV-2.
19. Application of the Nasalferon to travelers and their families
Since January 7, 2021, it was decided in Havana to begin applying the drug Nasalferon to travelers and their families to strengthen their immune systems and prevent the replication of the SARS-COV-2 virus. Today its application is extended to vulnerable groups.
20. Incorporation of volunteers to isolation centers and investigations
Hundreds of thousands of young people have given their solidarity collaboration in isolation centers; in active epidemiological investigations in each health area, in the red zone, and in many other matters of urgent importance such as support for the Family Attention System (saf), or in food production.
21. Protection in matters of social and labor security
Under the humanist principle, which distinguishes the Revolution, and despite the intensification of the US economic blockade against the Island and the negative impact of COVID-19 on the national economy, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security implemented measures of labor and wage protection, and social security and assistance so that no Cuban is left unprotected.
Distance work and telework were promoted with the payment of 100% of the salary; adults aged 60 years and over were protected; to mothers, fathers and guardians with children in nursery schools, in primary or special education, and other vulnerable people.
More than 247,300 self-employed workers, whose activities were suspended, were exempted from paying taxes and fees, and benefits were applied such as the extension of the taxpayer registry, the postponement of the payment of taxes and the suspension of the payment of taxes of hired workers.
22. Implementation of a Social and Economic Development Strategy
The strategy to boost the economy and face the crisis was approved by the Council of Ministers on July 16, 2020, under the principles of defending national production, encouraging exports and providing greater management autonomy to the business sector , in other aspects.
As part of the strategy, the President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his work team resumed government visits to the provinces.
23. Guarantees for safe tourism
Protected by the strict certification of more hygienic and safe tourism, Cuba assumed on November 15, 2020 the reopening of airports and the tourism sector in the midst of the fight against the pandemic.
24. Monitoring of food production
Given the complex situation caused by COVID-19, and the Donald Trump Administration’s obsession with increasing the measures of the economic blockade, food production has been the priority issue for the country’s leadership.
25. The challenge of trade and services
Under the premise that no Cuban can be left stranded, courier services emerged, the preparation of take-out food and the experience of bringing products to the communities, especially in a quarantine situation.
26. Computer applications provided services
Several payment services were launched in 2020 through electronic commerce and terminal points of sale (POS). In addition to mobile banking, Telebanca, ATMs and Transfermóvil, applications such as the Viajando and TuEnvío apk were added. For surveillance, control or information on the pandemic, applications such as COVID-19-Infocu and the virtual researcher have been designed.
27. Cities on hiatus, but with incessant transportation
Workers in the transport sector have unconditionally supported the transfer of patients or suspected cases to hospitals and isolation centers. They also ensured the routes of health personnel in the territories, where the epidemiological situation has forced the suspension of the usual bus and taxi routes.
They were responsible for the daily transfer of thousands of PCR tests, and the humanitarian transfer of people who were surprised by the worsening of the epidemiological situation outside the home.
28. Strategies to assist in isolation
From the field of social sciences, there were actions to help during isolation, telephone support through the Confidential Line With Life, or the Help Line 103; the publication of guidance material; and the active role in the WhatsApp psycho-groups of the Section of psychological orientation of the Cuban Society of Psychology.
It was possible to maintain the vitality of the teaching-educational processes from home, through teleclasses.
29. Culture was consolidated as the soul of the nation
In a scenario marked by COVID-19, the intensification of the US blockade and the open subversive campaigns against the Island, the Ministry of Culture and its institutions, far from being daunted, enhanced their work.
Faced with the postponement of massive artistic events, nearly 200 concerts were broadcast online, while the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana included a selection of works in the Cuban TV programming, in which, in addition, they have incorporated new spaces for family orientation.
30. Preparation of athletes for international competitions
Despite the decision that there should be no public in the stadiums, and the permanent stalking of COVID-19, which has forced the last leg of the tournament to be played in bubble mode, the National Baseball Series has been a triumph of the sports movement in the middle of the pandemic.
With their sights on the Tokyo Olympics, athletes and coaches have had to resort to the most varied initiatives in the last year to get to the Japanese event in shape.
31. Historical dates have not been overlooked
From the portals and balconies, or in a virtual way, in open spaces or in a symbolic way, the Cuban people celebrated the International Workers’ Day, on July 26, or the anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution on the 1st. of January.
32. The pandemic did not impede the legislative exercise of Parliament
The legislative schedule was affected in 2020, but the working groups continued their work. As a result, the laws of the Foreign Service, the Organization and Functioning of the Council of Ministers, the Revocation, the President and Vice President of the Republic, the Organization and Functioning of the Provincial Government of the People’s Power and the Organization were approved. and Functioning of the Municipal Administration Council.
33. Acts of provocation financed from the US for internal subversion
In the last two decades, the different administrations of that country have allocated close to 250 million dollars to a series of programs that seek to overthrow the Revolution. During the government of Donald Trump, more than 240 hostile measures were applied against the Island, and those of 2020 were particularly ferocious, when he eliminated the possibility of sending remittances through Western Union, further restricted flights and blocked access to the island. Island to supplies and medical donations.
34. Acknowledgments of the ALBA and of CARICOM for the Cuban strategy to confront COVID
For its regional response to the pandemic, Cuba was recognized by the foreign ministers participating in the 21st Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty, and later, by the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community.
35. The Party Congress did not stop its preparation
As announced, the 8th. Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba will take place between April 16 and 19. The historic event will focus its attention on the evaluation and projection of core issues for the present and future of the nation.
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