Santiago de Cuba, November 17 (RHC)-- After 187 days without the appearance of SARS-COV-2, Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city in the country, reports a worrying increase in new coronavirus.

According to the provincial director of Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology, Dr. Ricardo Manet Lahera, with the 24 cases reported on Monday, there are already 40 SARS-COV-2 positive cases hospitalized.

Given the danger arising from the situation, the province's authorities have decided that whoever arrives in the territory, either by road, air, or sea, will be rigorously monitored and subject to PCR testing.

As of Monday, visits to hospitals, maternal centers, and grandparents' homes have been restricted, and containment measures in work and study centers and the organization of queues have been reinforced.

Festive activities and popular gatherings were banned in the territory, and bathing on beaches and swimming pools. Bars, lounges, and nightclubs were closed, including those in the private sector.

Governor Beatriz Johnson Urrutia said that the Public Health staff has personal protection means and will have all the support of the authorities and the sectors or organizations it requires and the cooperation in the communities of the mass organizations such as the CDRs and the FMC.