Havana, March 14 (RHC)— Cuban health authorities reported that as of Friday, 149 patients had been admitted to hospitals on the island, 65 foreigners, and 84 Cuban nationals as part of the surveillance on the COVID-19 epidemics.

Of the total, 20 patients are Italian, 13 are from the U.S., from Canada, China, and Germany, there are three from each of them, from Spain and Mexico, with four each.

Among other countries, there are representatives from Argentina, Ecuador, Sweden, and France, and Australia.

The minister of Public Health, José Angel Portal, disclosed that information during the follow-up meeting on the measures of control and prevention of the presence of coronavirus on the island held on Friday, led by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

In terms of Cuban nationals,Portal said that 42 are hospitalized in Havana, 17 in Villa Clara. Sancti Spiritus, and Cienfuegos have nine each, while Santiago has 8, Matanzas 5, Granma 4, Camaguey 3, Mayabeque 2 and Pinar del Rio province one case.

Dr. Portal said that the persons hospitalized are showing symptoms, but none of them tested positive on Friday.

The minister said that the four patients that have so far tested positive to the disease are evolving favorably and that the country has the health institutions, staff, and medications to face the condition.