By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Cuba Ministry of Health reported 9,740 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 84 deaths, bringing the country’s totals since the beginning of the pandemic to 573,571 cumulative cases and 4481 deaths.

During the first 20 days of August, 179,408 cases were reported, including 1636 deaths for an average of 8970 cases and 82 deaths daily.

In all of July, there were 1,543 deaths from COVID-19.

On Friday, the most cases were reported from Cienfuegos (1644), Pinar del Río (1171) and Havana (983).

Of the 84 deaths recorded Friday, 75 were in people ages 50 and above, while 9 were in people younger than 50.

With the rise in cases, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has said that the country is at the “limit” of its health capabilities. Difficulties in hospitals include a shortage of medicines, materials for X-rays, and also a breakdown in its main oxygen plant.