At the Dr. Carlos Font Pupo nursing home, epidemiological control is being strengthened after eight COVID-19 positive patients have been diagnosed.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Dr. Gregory Pérez Héctor, deputy director of Health in the province, explained to 26 that as part of the epidemiological surveillance of acute respiratory infections (ARI) the first positive case was detected in the health institution.

"This is a 92-year-old man who has frequent episodes of respiratory infections with several admissions, as he suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. On this occasion, he was transferred to the ARI consultation at the Ernesto Guevara de la Serna hospital and after a positive result of an antigen test, he was admitted and a PCR test was performed, as established in the protocols.

As of confirmation, the actions in the "Carlos Font" intensify, especially with first-rate contacts. Three workers and four other grandparents were positive of the 52 samples initially taken, for a total of eight diagnosed at the site.

Today, seven of these patients are hospitalized at the isolation center set up at the José Martí School. All are asymptomatic, in good general condition, and complying with the treatment. The first diagnosed grandfather is in the Fermín Valdés Domínguez hospital, in Holguín, as he presents symptoms, but maintains a good condition.

Pérez Héctor said that the studies are being expanded and PCR tests were carried out yesterday on all the elderly (149) and 22 workers and one hundred percent will be completed in a staggered manner. Still -he said- the source of infection is being investigated by the Municipal and Provincial Directorates of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Provincial Directorate of Health.

The nursing home has access, mobility, and exit restrictions to avoid the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Outside the institution, more than 60 people are isolated, who are direct or indirect contacts of the sick.