Havana, April 17 (RHC)-- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel assessed the implementation of measures to control the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

The president participated in the daily meeting of the temporary work group, during which the Minister of Public Health Jose Angel Portal Miranda explained that a number of local virus transmission incidents were found across the island.  According to the minister, three communities are in quarantine -- one in Havana; one in Taguasco, in the central province of Sancti Spiritus; and the third in the municipality of Venezuela, located in Ciego de Avila province.

Isolation measures were reinforced in those areas, Portal Miranda said, adding that for more security, local virus transmission events will be assessed after two incubation periods of the disease; that is, at least 28 days without reporting new COVID-19 cases in those areas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Alejandro Gil pointed out that 444 of over 1,000 kindergartens in the country are still operating to help parents who need to work.  But, he emphasized, there is close epidemiological surveillance on all children who attend them.

Gil reported that an alternative teaching program would be announced soon to continue the school year, which will be coordinated by the Ministry of Education.