English Section

Poland's coronavirus cases rise to 35,146, deaths up to 1,492: health ministry

02.07.2020 10:40
A total of 35,146 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Poland, with 1,492 deaths from the COVID-19 respiratory disease so far, officials said on Thursday.
Photo:
Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

The number of new virus cases rose by 371 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by 15, according to public health authorities.

Of the new cases confirmed on Thursday, 148 were in the country's southern Silesia coal region, where infections have spiked in mines.

Meanwhile, 45 new cases were reported in the central Mazowieckie province, which includes the capital Warsaw.

The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak are nine men aged 50 to 87 and six women aged 53 to 84, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.

It added that all of these patients had pre-existing medical conditions.

On Wednesday, the Polish health ministry reported 14 deaths throughout the day and 382 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with 19 deaths and 239 new cases a day earlier.

The health ministry announced on Thursday morning that 1,787 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals nationwide, 73 of them on ventilators, with a further 83,521 people quarantined for possible coronavirus exposure, and 13,941 under epidemiological supervision.

Meanwhile, 22,209 people have recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country, the health ministry also said.

'State of epidemic'

The first infection was confirmed by Polish authorities on March 4, while the country's first coronavirus fatality was announced on March 12.

Poland has since declared a "state of epidemic" and temporarily closed its borders to non-residents in a move to curb the spread of the illness.

International scheduled flights and passenger rail connections were suspended on March 15.

In another effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the government banned public gatherings and closed all pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Health and government officials urged Poles to stay home and practice social distancing.

People were ordered to wear masks or other face coverings when out in public.

Easing of restrictions

Some restrictions were relaxed in late April, and hotels and shopping malls were allowed to reopen in early May as the country moved to the next phase of easing its coronavirus lockdown.

Hairdressers, beauty parlours, restaurants, bars and cafes were allowed to reopen to customers in mid-May.

Poland relaxed face mask rules at the end of May, and it also allowed public gatherings of up to 150 people.

In another move to ease coronavirus measures, the government lifted restrictions on how many people can gather in places such as retail outlets, restaurants and churches though face coverings and social distancing are still required.

Nurseries and preschools throughout the country have been given the green light to resume operations.

Poland has also reopened outdoor sports areas and allowed football matches to be played behind closed doors in late May.

Culture and entertainment venues as well as indoor sports facilities were allowed to restart their operations from June 6.

Elementary schools began reopening to young children at the end of May as the country lifted more COVID-19 safety measures.

But most schools at all levels of education stayed shut to students until the end of the academic year on June 26, providing distance learning instead of in-person classes.

Poland reopened its borders with its European Union neighbours last month.

The country reopened its skies for domestic flights on June 1, while some international flights were allowed to resume later in the month.

Polish football and speedway stadiums reopened to spectators at 25 percent capacity on June 19.

Poles on June 28 headed to the ballot box to vote in a delayed presidential election amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Deputy Health Minister Janusz Cieszyński told reporters a day later that the country's presidential ballot was safe to voters and election workers despite the coronavirus risk.

Poland is set to restart full-scale production at its coal mines after coronavirus hot spots in the country's mining industry have largely been contained, a deputy prime minister said on Tuesday.

Poland on Wednesday resumed international flights to a number of non-European Union countries, including Britain and Canada.

With 38 COVID-19 deaths per million population, Poland remains far less affected by the coronavirus epidemic than many other countries in Europe, new statistics have shown.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info