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Poland's COVID-19 cases rise to 20,838, deaths up to 990: health ministry

23.05.2020 14:45
A total of  20,838 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 990 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Saturday morning.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Pixabay License

The number of confirmed infections increased by 219 from the previous day, the health ministry announced. Of the latter, 162 new coronavirus cases were identified in the Silesia mining region of southern Poland, a new hotspot for infections.

Over 31,300 coronavirus tests were performed in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said in a statement on Saturday afternoon. Overall, nearly 700,000 people have been tested so far in Poland.

Meanwhile, 8,977 people have recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country, the ministry added.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak in early March, 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.

People have been ordered to wear masks or other face coverings and practice social distancing when out in public.

Some restrictions were relaxed last month, and hotels and shopping malls were allowed to reopen in early May as the country moved to the next phase of easing its coronavirus lockdown.

Earlier on Saturday, Poland’s Infrastructure Ministry unveiled plans for allowing domestic and international flights to resume in stages.

Meanwhile, nurseries and preschools throughout the country have been given the green light to open their doors.

Schools are due to remain shut until June 7 as Poland battles the epidemic.

Hairdressers, beauty parlours, restaurants, bars and cafes were allowed to reopen this week.

(mo/pk)

Source: IAR