Yateras versus COVID-19: 386 days of epidemiological silence

Abstract

Introduction: No report is available in the scientific literature analyzing the reasons why Yateras is the only municipality in Cuba without any COVID-19 patient from 11 March 2020, when the first case was reported in the country, until 2 April 2021, when the first case was diagnosed in the municipality.

Objective: Characterize sociodemographic features of the population of the municipality of Yateras, province of Guantánamo, Cuba, during the period when no confirmed COVID-19 cases were diagnosed.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in the period extending from 11 March 2020 to 2 April 2021. The study universe was the census-registered population in that period. The variables analyzed were age, sex, household conditions, population classification according to dispensary groups, and other conditions determining the vulnerability of the population.

Results: Of the population studied, 47.1% was vulnerable to the pandemic. 98.8% had some sort of comorbidity or risk factor, mainly an antecedent of systemic arterial hypertension in 2192 inhabitants. 10.7% of the households were classified as overcrowded and 54.2% had inadequate conditions.

Conclusions: A large number of Yateras residents are vulnerable to COVID-19. However, the sociodemographic features of this population did not determine the period of epidemiological silence characterizing the territory, which is thought to have been due to the control and strict compliance with a system of measures aimed at facing the disease, alongside the responsible, supportive attitude of the community toward the achievement of this goal.