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Objectives: The first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cuba were reported on March 11, 2020, followed by multiple introductions of infected travelers from Europe, America, and Asia. This work aimed to characterize the SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating in Cuba from March to September 2020 by partial nucleotide sequencing of the S and N genes. Methods: Between March and September 2020, 38 nasopharyngeal exudates from 38 SARS-CoV-2 patients were received at the National Reference Laboratory for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses at the Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí" (IPK). The Sanger sequencing method was used to amplify and sequence a 2539 bp fragment of the spike gene (from position 22020 to 24550) and a 370 bp of the nucleoprotein gene (from position 28340 to 28710). The GISAID database was used to identify the mutation profile of both fragments, and phylogenetic analysis was used to confirm the clades. In addition, clinical and epidemiological data from patients were gathered. Results: There were 34 and 25 sequences from S and N genes, respectively. In 21 of them, both genes (S and N) were available, whereas, in the remaining 13 and 4, only S or N sequences could be obtained. Based on the presence of the D614G mutation, 32 samples (84.2%) were classified as clade G of SARS CoV-2, and two were classified as Wuhan. No classification was possible in the remaining four (where only the N sequence was available). In one sample each, five different mutations were detected in clade G samples: L517F, L517X, N603T, A846V, and E281V. The 26 N sequences obtained were 100.0% identical to those circulated in most countries. The G30R mutation was detected in an infected patient in Cuba. Fourteen of the 38 patients studied were imported cases. The first three cases detected with COVID-19 in Cuba were clade G and originated in Italy. Ten individuals were asymptomatic, four presented severe forms of the disease (two fatal), and the remaining presented mild symptoms. No relationship was observed among the clades or the mutational profile with the clinical features, country of origin, and Cuban provinces. Conclusion: The early establishment of SARS-CoV-2 genetic surveillance in Cuba was helpful for tracking the epidemic. It demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 clade G was introduced initially and was the variant that circulated in the country during 2020, although the Wuhan strain was also detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION In November 2021, omicron--a new SARSCoV- 2 variant--was identified in South Africa and almost immediately, WHO declared it a 'variant of concern'. In view of its rapid worldwide spread and its imminent introduction in Cuba, genomic surveillance was strengthened. OBJECTIVE Describe cases during the first eight epidemiological weeks (epiweeks) of SARS-CoV-2 infection attributable to omicron variant in Cuba by clinical and epidemiological variables. METHODS From epiweek 48, 2021 to epiweek 4, 2022, 288 nasopharyngeal swabs were processed for sequencing of a 1836 bp fragment of the S gene. Variants were identified according to GISAID database and confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Variants' association with clinical and epidemiological outcomes was assessed. RESULTS The first cases of omicron variant were imported, mostly from African countries and the United States. During the period studied, omicron was detected in 83.0% (239/288) of cases processed, while the delta variant was found in 17.0% (49/288). Most persons infected with omicron were symptomatic (63.2%; 151/239) and fully vaccinated (65.3%; 156/239); severe cases and deaths occurred mainly among patients aged ≥65 years (92.9%; 13/14), and 12 of these deaths occurred in fully vaccinated persons (92.3%; 12/13). Omicron spread rapidly throughout the country (from 10% of cases in epiweek 48, 2021, to 100% by epiweek 4, 2022), displacing the formerly predominant delta variant. CONCLUSIONS Omicron's rapid expansion in Cuba was associated with increased incidence but not with a higher case fatality rate. The relatively milder disease in those infected with this variant could be influenced by the high vaccination coverage, along with the natural immunity acquired as a consequence of previous virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubella infectious diseases affect children and young adults and when they occur during the first trimester of pregnancy, cause congenital malformations in the newborn. In the National Reference Laboratory (NLR) of measles, rubella and mumps from the Tropical Medicine Institute "Pedro Kourí", the IgG Avidity Index (AI) detection was carried out to 15 paired serum samples, which corresponded to same number of patients infected with this virus in two Cuban provinces in 2004. The samples were positive to virus- specific IgM antibodies, in addition seroconversion or an increase of > 4 fold of the titers in the sera of the acute and convalescence phase using the hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA). The AI value showed a primary infection to rubella virus in 13 (86.6%) of the patients studied, and a secondary infection in 2 (13.3%) of them. The IgG avidity antibody detection is a reliable alternative tool for distinguishing between primary and secondary rubella virus infection and for strengthing the diagnosis of this disease in Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El Programa de Desarrollo Humano Local en Cuba (PDHL) fue lanzado por el PNUD en 1999 con el objetivo de poner a disposición de las entidades nacionales y locales del país y de los diferentes actores de cooperación internacional, un marco de referencia programático, operativo y de gestión, capaz de articular la acción de cooperación internacional a los procesos y a las estrategias de desarrollo local encaminadas por Cuba. Este programa cuenta con una metodología para su aplicación, además ha seguido una estrategia de intervención que ha dado muy bueno resultados a nivel de país en general. Pinar del Río es un ejemplo del impacto social y económico que ha tenido el programa. En esta provincia se ha logrado disminuir la emigración de los pobladores del Valle de Viñales, mejorando las condiciones de vida de estos campesinos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]