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Poland’s COVID-19 death toll rises to 36, cases up to 2,420: health ministry

01.04.2020 14:40
Another coronavirus patient has died in Poland, bringing the country’s total death toll from the COVID-19 disease to 36, authorities announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The Warsaw headquarters of the Polish Ministry of Health.
The Warsaw headquarters of the Polish Ministry of Health.Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Meanwhile, the total number of infections nationwide increased by 109 during the day to 2,420, according to officials.

The latest death is a 51-year-old man in the southern town of Tychy, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, officials reported the deaths of two elderly men, aged 83 and 68, saying they both had underlying medical conditions when they contracted the virus.

On Tuesday, the health ministry in Warsaw confirmed 256 new coronavirus infections nationwide, up from 193 the previous day and 224 on Sunday.

The Polish health ministry reported on Tuesday afternoon that 1,924 people with suspected coronavirus infection were in hospitals nationwide, with a further 171,994 quarantined, and 50,804 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 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