According to a report by Reuters, the United States has announced that it would make permanent the staff cuts implemented after US diplomats in Havana reported health issues and will limit its diplomatic reach while Cuba looks to emerge from years of isolation. Last September, the State Department cut the embassy's staff by more than half due to mysterious "attacks" that it claims has caused hearing loss, dizziness and fatigue in two dozen employees. 17 Cuban diplomats stationed in the United States were also expelled from the country. The State Department said in a statement, “The embassy will continue to operate with the minimum personnel necessary to perform core diplomatic and consular functions, similar to the level of emergency staffing maintained during ordered departure."