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Coronavirus: Poland reports record 392 cases, 14 deaths in one day

02.04.2020 21:40
A total of 2,946 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 57 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Thursday evening.
Photo:
Photo:PAP/Łukasz Gągulski

The number of new virus cases rose by a record 392 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by 14, according to public health authorities.

The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak are four men and three women aged from 61 to 87, all of them with pre-existing medical problems, the country's health ministry said in a tweet.

On Wednesday, the health ministry reported 10 deaths throughout the day and 243 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with two deaths and 256 new cases a day earlier.

The Polish health ministry announced on Thursday morning that 2,317 people with suspected coronavirus infection were in hospitals nationwide, with a further 183,095 quarantined, and 48,039 under epidemiological supervision.

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 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. The government has chartered special flights to help Poles return home from abroad.

In another move to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the government has limited the operations of shopping malls and closed all pubs, clubs and entertainment venues.

Public gatherings of more than two people have been banned.

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

An initial two-week closure of the country’s schools has been extended until Easter.

The government on Tuesday announced tough new restrictions on daily life, banning children under 18 from leaving home unless supervised by an adult, closing parks and beaches, and ordering most hotels to shut. 

(gs/pk)