Of the fresh cases confirmed by public health officials on Saturday, 1,986 new infections were reported in the central region of Mazowieckie, which contains the national capital Warsaw.
The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak are 514 people with pre-existing medical conditions and 85 who died directly because of COVID-19, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.
On Friday, Poland reported 17,060 new coronavirus infections and 579 more deaths, compared with 580 deaths and 16,687 new coronavirus infections nationwide a day earlier.
On Wednesday officials reported 15,362 fresh COVID-19 infections and a record 674 new deaths linked to the coronavirus.
On Saturday, November 7, the Polish health ministry reported 27,875 new single-day cases, the most since the pandemic hit the country in early March.
Stores in shopping malls reopen
Stores in shopping malls across Poland reopened this Saturday after a partial easing of COVID-19 restrictions on retail outlets.
Strict sanitary regulations are in place, with limits on the number of customers such shops can serve at any one time.
The government had ordered malls to close from November 7 amid a second wave of the coronavirus, though grocery stores, pharmacies and drugstores were exempt.
Second wave hits hard
Tougher measures to battle COVID-19 came into effect across Poland earlier this month following a surge in cases.
Hotels are only able to take in guests on business trips. Theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries have been told to close temporarily.
The government has announced that restaurants, cinemas, theaters and gyms will remain closed until at least December 27.
Schools and universities throughout the country have returned to distance learning.
Under restrictions announced last month, children under 16 are only allowed to leave their homes under the supervision of an adult between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, pubs, restaurants and cafes are only allowed to provide take-aways and delivery orders.
Gatherings of more than five forbidden
Gatherings of more than five people have been forbidden, though people who live or work together are exempt from the rule.
Also, the government has appealed to people aged over 70 not to leave their homes unless necessary.
Poland last month introduced special shopping hours for people aged over 60 between 10 a.m. and noon.
Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, strict new rules came into effect in the country last month under which everyone is required to wear a face covering when going out in public.
Beginning October 10, people must cover their mouths and noses when outdoors in public places as well as in most indoor environments nationwide.
Amid an escalating outbreak, the country has decided to set up a network of temporary hospitals to treat coronavirus patients.
With 364 COVID-19 deaths per million population, Poland remains less affected by the coronavirus epidemic than some other countries in Europe, new statistics have shown.
To compare, Belgium has 1,345 deaths per million residents since the start of the pandemic, according to data released by the Polish health ministry this week, while Spain has 922 and Italy reports 835.
(pk)