Not a few are concerned when in one day Las Tunas exceeds 10 positive patients for COVID-19; contrary to what happens if there are few confirmed. This could seem logical if it only influenced the emotional sphere, and not the attitude of many people who choose to relax compliance with the new codes of life, imposed by the SARS-CoV-2.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- "The important thing is not the number, a single case that is reported in a day is a problem for the province because it can generate many more; while the measures are not complied with," Dr. Aldo Cortés González, deputy director of the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology, said.

The autochthonous transmission event on Calle 13, in the Health area of the Gustavo Aldereguía Lima polyclinic, the only one registered in the province since the beginning of the pandemic, left evidence of the possible complications that arise from a diagnosis. Another illustrative example is the focus on a building in the municipality of Majibacoa, which already has seven confirmed, and thus many others could be cited.

Today, in the province, 36 outbreaks are under surveillance, 26 of them in the provincial capital. However, Cortés González said, the risk exists in all municipalities.

The number of positives to the disease has exceeded the predictions of mathematicians in this territory. From March 12 to 25, six daily cases were predicted and in nine of the 14 days that average was exceeded; including the 20 confirmed on March 15, a record number for a day here.

"Making these forecasts change in favor of the Las Tunas population only depends on everyone's discipline and adherence to regulations that are not imposed by Health ordinances or the Government's indication; but the virus, its form of transmission and the period of incubation. In each measure dictated, there is the will to stop the disease and avoid deaths and even the expenses that we assume as a society. Resources that could be used for other local development activities are used today in the confrontation with this pandemic.”

The doctor also drew attention to the increase in those diagnosed without a defined source of infection. "By hiding information, not attending with opportunity, there are cases in which we cannot find the source of infection, which limits the control measures."

And he added: "We have to delve into the self-investigation and think that in times of COVID-19 the cold is a symptom of that disease and go to the doctor, the only one empowered to establish differences and determine a diagnosis. The second is the timely isolation to avoid transmission and compliance with the established guidelines.”

Threats to workplaces is another situation facing here; even though it is worth clarifying that these have not been the source of contagion, but that people already go to work sick. Active inquiries and containment actions must be taken to the extreme in each institution, as well as improving the flow of communication between administrations and Public Health, to give adequate follow-up to the isolated worker in the corresponding attention area.

A little over a year after the pandemic, this province has already accumulated 582 confirmed, 421 native and 161 imported, with two deaths. Now, there is the worst scenario since the first case was diagnosed.

Although the perception of risk does not correspond to the current epidemiological context, Cortés González conveyed his confidence that the incidence of COVID-19 can be reduced. "The people of Las Tunas have never been left behind and we have to act with much discipline, organization and responsibility to win this battle."