While the battle against COVID-19 continues and no result, no matter how encouraging, is reason to neglect preventative measures, the national task force guiding efforts to control the epidemic met yesterday, headed by the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.
After a new day where it is evident that, Public Health Minister Jose Angel Portal Miranda reported that the number of hospitalized patients for treatment or observation continues to fall, with a total of 2,022 reported Monday the 24th, the lowest since April 22, when there were 10,742 patients in different institutions.
Of the 1,963 confirmed cases in the country to date, 170 remain hospitalized representing 8.6% of the total. He noted that, of these, 93 are in Havana and 62 in Matanzas, the two provinces with the highest number of active cases at this time.
Following this review of the COVID battle, the Ministers of Industry and Construction reported on work in their sectors, which has played an important role in confronting the new coronavirus, while continuing to make progress on the country's priority programs.
The Minister of Industries, Eloy Álvarez Martínez, noted that this sector has maintained the essential production lines, contributing decisively to meeting the logistical needs for institutions on the front lines confronting the disease.
He explained that production of chlorine at the Electroquímica de Sagua is stable, ensuring availability of this key product. Meanwhile, he reported that more than two million face masks have been produced; textile and clothing companies have produced 60,000 gowns, caps and pajamas, most of which have been delivered to the Public Health system in all provinces, as well as 416,000 face protectors for medical personnel.
At the same time, the Minister explained that intense efforts continue to maintain respirators and ambulances in good repair, along with elevators and air conditioning equipment in hospitals and biopharmaceutical institutions.
Likewise, Construction Minister Rene Mesa Villafaña stated that the sector continues to work on all programs, especially housing, with 81% of the workforce remaining active. The majority of workers on leave are inactive due to risks associated with age or specific health conditions, he said.
As part of the COVID battle, he reported that work has focused on re-conditioning sites to serve as isolation centers; hospital repairs and renovations, especially kitchens, laundries and plumbing.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz noted that the two sectors have done an exemplary job, remaining active in spite of the exceptional situation the country is experiencing. At the same time, he commented, work on priority investment projects and production in various industries has continued.
