Coronavirus outbreak at meat company in Palmira, Cienfuegos

The Provincial Health Directorate in the province of Cienfuegos has initiated a screening at the meat company in Palmira following an outbreak of coronavirus that has reported, to date, 12 infected workers.

According to statements to the 5 de Septiembre newspaper by Dr. Arelis Crespo, head of this department, the positive cases include 11 workers and one person not associated with the company. However, health authorities in that province have isolated 200 individuals, contacts of the positive cases, from 7 family clinics. 

"The event involves the family doctor offices 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 17 in this Health Area, with the Manuel Piti Fajardo Polyclinic as its headquarters. Priority is given to this initiative due to its potential importance for controlling transmission. The epidemiological situation in the defined area will be updated daily, PCR tests will be conducted as per protocol, and information will be provided accordingly," explained Dr. Crespo.

Additionally, it was reported that industrial production came to a halt following the outbreak, and coronavirus tests are being conducted for all workers, their family members, and extrahousehold contacts, the source noted.

In the epidemiological event, 33 families have been involved, and to date, 99 homes and facilities within a municipal primary school, primarily the 4th grade, have been disinfected.

Regarding this outbreak, health authorities in the province warn about the need to raise awareness of the risk associated with mortality related to the virus, and have assured that they will issue a daily update on the epidemiological situation in Palmira.

In the latest daily report released by the Ministry of Public Health in Cuba, 4 deaths and 670 new infections are confirmed, the lowest number in the country since February 8.

In Cuba, 19,487 patients are currently hospitalized for epidemiological clinical surveillance due to the coronavirus. There are 3,157 suspected cases of the disease, and 4,389 are reported as confirmed active cases.