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Poland’s Covid-19 cases pass 100 mark, third death reported

14.03.2020 22:55
Health authorities in Poland on Saturday announced the country’s third death linked to the coronavirus, with the total number of infections nationwide passing the 100 mark.
A woman wearing a protective face mask walks through downtown Warsaw on Saturday.
A woman wearing a protective face mask walks through downtown Warsaw on Saturday.Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara

Thirty-six new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection were reported in Poland throughout the day, bringing the country’s total to 104.

A 66-year-old man, who also had other medical problems, died at a hospital in the eastern city of Lublin after contracting the virus, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet on Saturday evening.

A day earlier authorities reported the country’s second death linked to the coronavirus.

Poland’s first coronavirus fatality was announced on Thursday.

Poland has declared a state of "epidemic emergency" and will temporarily close its borders to foreigners on Sunday in a move to curb the spread of the illness.

Polish citizens returning from abroad will be placed under a 14-day quarantine after crossing the border, while pubs and clubs will be shut, shopping malls will have trade restricted, and public gatherings of more than 50 people will be banned, officials said on Friday. 

The government on Wednesday announced that all schools, universities, nurseries, cinemas, theatres and museums would be closed as Poland stepped up efforts to contain the new SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The Polish health ministry said on Saturday that 526 people with suspected coronavirus infection were in hospitals nationwide, with a further 4,413 quarantined and 20,340 under epidemiological supervision.

The first case of coronavirus infection was reported in the country last week.

(gs)

Source: IAR