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Poland's COVID-19 cases rise to 3,503, deaths up to 73: health ministry

04.04.2020 10:30
A total of 3,503 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 73 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Saturday morning.
The Warsaw headquarters of the Polish Ministry of Health.
The Warsaw headquarters of the Polish Ministry of Health.Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

The number of new virus cases rose by 120 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by two, according to public health authorities.

The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak are a 67-year-old woman in the southern city of Częstochowa and an 88-year-old woman in the southern town of Racibórz, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.

It added that the older woman had pre-existing medical conditions.

On Friday, the health ministry reported 14 deaths throughout the day and a record 437 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with 14 deaths and 392 new cases a day earlier.

The Polish health ministry announced on Saturday morning that 2,303 people with suspected coronavirus infection were in hospitals nationwide, with a further 160,587 quarantined, and 41,146 under epidemiological supervision.

Meanwhile, 116 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in hospitals across the country, the health ministry also said.

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 is chartering special flights to help Poles abroad return home.

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)

Source: IAR, PAP