{"id":1514,"date":"2020-04-24T21:19:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T21:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/?p=1514"},"modified":"2020-05-05T23:12:26","modified_gmt":"2020-05-05T23:12:26","slug":"cuba-reacted-fast-and-effectively-to-the-coronavirus-but-its-isolation-could-endanger-its-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cuba-reacted-fast-and-effectively-to-the-coronavirus-but-its-isolation-could-endanger-its-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuba reacted fast and effectively to the coronavirus, but its isolation could endanger its recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/street-cuban-flag-havana-cuba.jpg?resize=600%2C399&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1516\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/street-cuban-flag-havana-cuba.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/street-cuban-flag-havana-cuba.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/street-cuban-flag-havana-cuba.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Cuba has several governmental and healthcare advantages that allowed it to move rapidly in response to the coronavirus outbreak.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>But the pandemic comes at a time of heightened tensions with the US, which, coupled with Havana&#8217;s lack of resources, could make it harder to stave off the pandemic in the long-run.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some countries seem to be weathering the coronavirus pandemic better than others. One country that moved rapidly to deal with the emerging threat was Cuba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cuba has several advantages over many states, including free universal healthcare, the world&#8217;s highest ratio of doctors to population, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/phi\/publications\/Cuba_case_study121115.pdf\">positive health indicators<\/a>, such as high life expectancy and low infant mortality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of its doctors have volunteered&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0094582x07308119\">around the world<\/a>, building up and supporting other countries&#8217; health systems while gaining experience in emergencies. A highly educated population and advanced medical research industry, including three laboratories equipped and staffed to run virus tests, are further strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, with a centrally planned, state-controlled economy, Cuba&#8217;s government can mobilise resources quickly. Its national emergency planning structure is connected with local organisations in every corner of the country. The disaster-preparedness system, with mandatory evacuations for vulnerable people such as the disabled and pregnant women, has previously resulted in a remarkably&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/pad.236\">low loss of life<\/a>&nbsp;from hurricanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, COVID-19 presents differences. Cuba&#8217;s lack of resources, which\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ijmed.org\/articles\/316\/\">hampers recovery<\/a>\u00a0from disasters, also contributes to a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cubaposible.com\/vivienda-cuba-socialismo-reformas\/\">housing shortage<\/a>\u00a0that makes physical distancing difficult. And the island&#8217;s poor infrastructure creates logistical challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, the pandemic comes at a particularly difficult time, as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-cuba-sanctions-investment-analysis\/tougher-u-s-sanctions-make-cuba-ever-more-difficult-for-western-firms-idUSKBN1WO2LP\">tightened US sanctions<\/a>\u00a0have sharply cut earnings from tourism and other services, deterred foreign investment, hampered trade (including medical equipment imports) and obstructed access to international finance \u2014 including emergency funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given these strengths and weaknesses, Cuba provides an interesting case study in responding to the current pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cuba&#8217;s reaction to the coronavirus threat was swift. A&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.granma.cu\/informacion-minsap\/2020-02-03\/sin-casos-de-coronavirus-en-cuba-pero-alertas-y-preparados-03-02-2020-00-02-55\">&#8220;prevention and control&#8221; plan<\/a>, prepared in January 2020, included training medical staff, preparing medical and quarantine facilities, and informing the public (including tourism workers) about symptoms and precautions. So when the first three reported cases were confirmed on March 11, arrangements were in place to trace and isolate contacts, mobilise medical students for nationwide door-to-door surveys to identify vulnerable people and check for symptoms, and roll out a testing programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On March 20, with 21 confirmed cases reported, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.granma.cu\/cuba-covid-19\/2020-03-20\/en-vivo-gobierno-cubano-encabezado-por-el-presidente-informa-reforzamiento-de-medidas-contra-la-covid-19\">government announced<\/a>\u00a0a ban on tourist arrivals, lockdown for vulnerable people, provision for home working, reassignment of workers to priority tasks, employment protection and social assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As issues arose, the Cuban government adjusted its response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, when face-masks and physical distancing proved insufficient to keep public transport safe, services were suspended and state and private vehicles and drivers were hired to transport patients and essential workers. And to reduce crowding in shops, the distribution system was reorganised and online shopping introduced. Physical distancing enforcement has also been stepped up in response to instances of non-compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldometers.info\/coronavirus\/\">766 reported cases<\/a>&nbsp;by April 15 (68 cases per million of population), Cuba is around the middle of the range for Latin America and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5ea1ef1b69852512a90cc385?width=1300&amp;format=jpeg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Coroanvirus covid-19 cases in Latin America and Caribbean\"\/><figcaption>Latin America and the Caribbean: reported cases per million, April 13 2020.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The quality of data varies hugely between countries, with some governments substantially under-reporting cases. Cuba&#8217;s reported cases are based on tests using WHO protocols. Two Caribbean neighbours, using similar methods, provide useful comparisons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Dominican Republic, the most closely comparable in terms of population, income and tourism dependence, shows how the disease might have spread if measures had been less effective. In contrast, Jamaica seems to have succeeded in halting the spread of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5ea1ef1bf242ab0a8003238b?width=1300&amp;format=jpeg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"coronavirus covid-19 cases in Cuba and Jamaica\"\/><figcaption>Cumulative cases per million, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jamaica&#8217;s initial response was similar to Cuba&#8217;s, but fewer cases had slipped into the country undetected before tourism was halted. Having identified 16 outbreak clusters now, Cuban authorities are still struggling to prevent a take-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What happens next in Cuba will depend largely on the amount of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/coronavirus-a-warning-to-latin-america-and-the-caribbean-to-dramatically-increase-covid-19-testing-135759?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20April%208%202020%20-%201588015209&amp;utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20April%208%202020%20-%201588015209+CID_cb88893669b74d0ced1341ba0a25c780&amp;utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&amp;utm_term=Coronavirus%20a%20warning%20to%20Latin%20America%20and%20the%20Caribbean%20to%20dramatically%20increase%20COVID-19%20testing\">testing<\/a>. An indicator of commitment to this task is the ratio of tests to reported cases. According to available data, Cuba (with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldometers.info\/coronavirus\/\">18,825 tests done<\/a>) leads the region with a ratio of 25:1, compared with 16:1 in Jamaica and 3:1 in the Dominican Republic. (Vietnam and Taiwan have over 100:1, Germany 10:1, US 5:1 and UK 4:1.) Around 40% of Cuba&#8217;s recent positive results are from asymptomatic cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If Cuba&#8217;s contact-tracing and testing regime gets the disease under control, its experience might offer lessons for controlling the pandemic, and more of its doctors will be available to help with the effort to combat the pandemic abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/cubas-isolation-could-endanger-its-reaction-to-coronavirus-outbreak-2020-4?utmSource=twitter&amp;utmContent=referral&amp;utmTerm=topbar&amp;referrer=twitter&amp;r=US&amp;IR=T\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">businessinsider<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cuba has several governmental and healthcare advantages that allowed it to move rapidly in response to the coronavirus outbreak. But the pandemic comes at a<a class=\"moretag\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cuba-reacted-fast-and-effectively-to-the-coronavirus-but-its-isolation-could-endanger-its-recovery\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101012,"featured_media":1516,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[36,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-covid-19","category-us-aggression"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2080,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cuba-declares-covid-19-under-control\/","url_meta":{"origin":1514,"position":0},"title":"Cuba declares COVID-19 \u2018under control\u2019","author":"Editorial Team","date":"June 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The Cuban government says coronavirus pandemic is \u2018under control\u2019 after nine days without a death from COVID-19. Latin America is the world's worst-hit region by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. But while cases continue to skyrocket in countries like Brazil and Mexico, the island nation of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Covid-19&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Covid-19","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/category\/cuba\/covid-19\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-09-at-15.49.17.png?fit=652%2C361&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-09-at-15.49.17.png?fit=652%2C361&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-09-at-15.49.17.png?fit=652%2C361&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1731,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/un-calls-for-review-of-sanctions-imposed-on-countries-including-cuba\/","url_meta":{"origin":1514,"position":1},"title":"UN calls for review of sanctions imposed on countries, including Cuba","author":"Editorial Team","date":"May 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The UN emergency aid coordinator, Mark Lowcock, called for a review of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on countries, such as the U.S. blockade against Cuba. In response to a question sent by Prensa Latina via e-mail, the official of the United Nations said in a virtual meeting that all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Covid-19&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Covid-19","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/category\/cuba\/covid-19\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/mark-lockwooed.jpg?fit=840%2C471&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/mark-lockwooed.jpg?fit=840%2C471&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/mark-lockwooed.jpg?fit=840%2C471&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/mark-lockwooed.jpg?fit=840%2C471&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4607,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cuba-the-murderous-blockade\/","url_meta":{"origin":1514,"position":2},"title":"Cuba: The Murderous Blockade","author":"Editorial Team","date":"June 3, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"In the midst of an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, the illegal blockade imposed against Cuba by Washington and maintained over the past more than 60 years has become the best ally of the coronavirus in Cuba.\u00a0As Yuri Valdes, Associate Director of the Finlay Vaccine Institute revealed, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Featured&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/category\/news\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Miami-contra-Bloqueo-580x773-1.jpeg?fit=580%2C773&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Miami-contra-Bloqueo-580x773-1.jpeg?fit=580%2C773&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Miami-contra-Bloqueo-580x773-1.jpeg?fit=580%2C773&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1066,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/dominic-raab-thanks-cuba-for-coronavirus-assistance-video\/","url_meta":{"origin":1514,"position":3},"title":"Dominic Raab Thanks Cuba for Coronavirus Assistance in UK Parliament &#8211; Video","author":"Editorial Team","date":"March 26, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Dominic Raab, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, thanked the Cuban Government today in parliament for their assistance with the stricken British cruise ship the MS Braemar which had passengers with possible coronavirus infections. He made the ministerial statement to MPs in parliament today \u201cI spoke\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Covid-19&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Covid-19","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/category\/cuba\/covid-19\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dominic-Raab-Thanks.jpg?fit=705%2C397&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dominic-Raab-Thanks.jpg?fit=705%2C397&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dominic-Raab-Thanks.jpg?fit=705%2C397&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dominic-Raab-Thanks.jpg?fit=705%2C397&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1273,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/us-blockade-to-cuba-is-incomprehensible-french-senate-president-says\/","url_meta":{"origin":1514,"position":4},"title":"US blockade to Cuba is incomprehensible, French senate president says","author":"Editorial Team","date":"April 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"By Waldo Mendiluza Paris, Apr 7 (Prensa Latina) Former President of the French Senate Jean-Pierre Bel on Tuesday described as incomprehensible that the United States maintains and intensifies its blockade against Cuba, when the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus demands international solidarity and cooperation.I do not understand how a country that frequently\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opinions&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opinions","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/category\/cuba\/opinions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/oliver-stone.jpg?fit=748%2C498&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/oliver-stone.jpg?fit=748%2C498&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/oliver-stone.jpg?fit=748%2C498&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/oliver-stone.jpg?fit=748%2C498&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2356,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cuba-helping-the-world-fight-covid-19-despite-u-s-governments-retaliation-efforts\/","url_meta":{"origin":1514,"position":5},"title":"Cuba helping the world fight COVID-19, despite U.S. government\u2019s retaliation efforts","author":"Editorial Team","date":"July 12, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Cuban doctors file out during a farewell ceremony as they get ready to leave for Italy to help with the coronavirus pandemic, in Havana, Cuba, April 12, 2020 BY\u00a0ORLANDO ORAMAS LE\u00d3N HAVANA\u2014While the United States tries to disqualify Cuba\u2019s international medical cooperation, the list of brigades sent by\u00a0the island to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cuba&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cuba","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/category\/cuba\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/doctors-leaving-.gif?fit=960%2C585&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/doctors-leaving-.gif?fit=960%2C585&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, 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