Havana, April 10 (RHC)—Cuba reported the most significant number so far of COVID-19 positive patients recovering, 23, bringing to 51 the number of patients released from hospitals.

Speaking Friday in the daily press briefing with a coronavirus update on the island, Dr. Francisco Duran, head of Epidemiology at the Cuban Ministry of Public Health,  said that in coming days that figure is likely to go up since many patients are completing two weeks of symptoms and have tested negative in subsequent tests.

Meanwhile, Duran said that of some 1200 samples that were analyzed through PCR lab diagnosis on Thursday, of which 49 tested positive, bringing to 564 the number of people diagnosed with the disease. 

The doctor noted that of new cases, all were Cuban nationals, and of them, 26 were asymptomatic, a reason why people must keep social distancing and individual protection.

181 countries are reporting the spread of the disease, with the addition of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Some 1.5 million people have tested positive, and over 87 thousand people have died.

In the region of the Americas, the United States is reporting more cases than Spain, France, and Germany combined.