The hours of the day may seem too long for those who challenge the new coronavirus from social distancing as the best way to stay safe. They could even be distressing in the face of the apparent calm, especially to the youngest, those of indomitable spirit; just like the stubborn ones who comb gray hair. But the COVID-19 is not a game thing and there it is, still lukewarm, the pain of the mourning families and that of so many infected in the world.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- 11:00 am has become a kind of ritual in Cuban homes; a significant audience remains attentive to the report of the Ministry of Public Health. Impatience, fear, and also faith emerge. Many hearts are crushed before the figures that are already soaring in the country and forced to touch a reality that until very recently seemed distant, and now knocks on the doors with so much insistence.

And if it were not enough, we will receive the experiences of ours from other latitudes that corroborate how lethal SARS-CoV-2 can be. Although it is true that in Las Tunas, the epidemiological scenario has remained very controlled, the danger remains latent.

This was stated to 26Digital by Dr. Aldo Cortés González, deputy director of the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology (CPHEM).

“There has been no progression of the disease here, although we have had travelers from the places with the highest incidence of the pandemic such as Italy, Spain, Germany and the United States. We advance measures within the strategic plan, which eliminates much of the risk. Even so, we must take extreme care for the possible existence of asymptomatic people who could be carriers of the virus.”

Faced with the information bombardment - not always true - several questions arise. One of the most questioned is related to the moment in which specialists glimpse the maximum number of positive diagnoses. "What can happen in the province," he says, "will depend on us, the people, the organization of the queues, social distancing. For an epidemic peak to occur, violations of sanitary measures must be committed, which to date have been carried out successfully.

“I reiterate, today the main risks we face are related to non-compliance with the provisions and the possibility of contacts with travelers in the communities. For this reason, through active inquiries, we look for patients with respiratory symptoms and indicate that they immediately go to medical offices or the polyclinic in the health area, as well as the use of protective masks.

"We have considered inspecting around 70 percent of the population.”

FACING THE COVID-19

Referring to the procedures they carry out upon confirmation of a positive patient for the disease, the specialist clarifies that they assess the characteristics of the virus beforehand, the risk groups, the incubation period and the time of transmissibility.

“We always examine the period in which the individual could be transmitting the COVID-19 and we determine who had a link with during that time. The incubation period depends on the viral load, the person's immunity and other factors.

“Sometimes we open the radio and include more citizens to reduce the margin of error. It was the procedure applied by the “Jesús Menéndez” health team in the first event detected; that allowed determining very well the direct contacts and others around.”

Cortés recognizes the professionalism of his colleagues and the discipline of the residents of Guayacán in dealing with the event. Likewise, the support of the family prevailed by staying isolated, which facilitated the actions of the Health System.

"The admission time will depend on the clinical recovery. However, according to some authors, two weeks after a clinical discharge the disease can continue to be transmitted. We have no experience of that, in any case, they are kept in subsequent isolation at home.” And for more caution, Cuba will repeat the test after that period, in order to give a final discharge.”

"In isolation centers, for returning travelers they also take the necessary measures and separate people by flights to avoid contagion between them.

“We are facing a pre-epidemic phase of the three defined. In a second stage, a limited indigenous transmission would occur, in which patients appear without having defined the contagion link and occur in small conglomerates. A third would be the epidemic, which also does not establish a relationship with visitors and covers several places in the national territory. We have to point out that those dangers exist. ”

When is it safer to take the sample?

"The nasopharyngeal exudate is effective on the third and seventh day of the start date of symptoms. It's made to any suspect who keeps the symptoms.

"The samples are taken in the isolation centers, they are transferred in a medium to the CPHEM, and they are packed there and then sent to the laboratory in Santiago de Cuba to issue the result."

One of the most worrisome issues of the disease is its rapid transmission and lethality...

"The first thing is that it has a high respiratory transmissibility and affects many people, especially the so-called risk groups. There's the adult population and those with diseases that can exacerbate COVID-19 symptoms.

"It hurts them, mainly, because they may have damaged their immune system; furthermore, they may be more prone to being unprotected: an old people alone begins the infestation, nobody notices and goes to the doctor with complications."

How do we protect these vulnerable groups?

“First of all, caring for them and encouraging them to remain in the homes to avoid contact with possible carriers of the virus.

"Young people are not exempt from harm. It is true that they have less risk, since they are strengthened and resist the effects more. Still, the latest studies call for not neglecting young adults. It is about taking care of one's health and that of the family; when people are out on the street and do not take the necessary measures, they can take the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus home.”

IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO PREVENT

"We recommend placing the footbath, which is nothing more than a blanket or a cloth with chlorine on the door to clean your feet before entering the home and workplaces.

"You have to protect yourself, constantly wash your hands, do not touch your eyes or nose, use the mask in public spaces, as well as maintain a distance of more than a meter between people, much more in queues, which is today one the biggest vulnerabilities.”

Solidarity is currently a powerful weapon against this enemy that plagues nations. As we are able to protect ourselves, we will also be thinking about the health of our elderly, children ... everyone. These are times to demonstrate love, from that distance that, right now, saves.