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Poland's COVID-19 cases rise to 24,271, deaths up to 1,081: health ministry

02.06.2020 10:05
A total of 24,271 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 1,081 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Tuesday morning.
Photo:
Photo:PAP/Marcin Obara

The number of new virus cases rose by 107 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by seven, according to public health authorities.

Of the new cases confirmed on Tuesday, 53 were in the country's southern Silesia coal region, where infections have spiked in mines, state news agency PAP reported.

The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak are two men in their 80s in the southern town of Racibórz and two elderly men and three women in the central town of Zgierz, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.

It added that all of these patients had pre-existing medical conditions.

On Monday, the Polish health ministry reported 10 deaths throughout the day and 380 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with three deaths and 219 new cases a day earlier.

The health ministry announced on Tuesday morning that 2,219 people with suspected coronavirus infection were in hospitals nationwide, with a further 78,470 quarantined, and 18,692 under epidemiological supervision.

Meanwhile, 11,726 people have recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country, the health ministry also said.

'State of epidemic'

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 since 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.

In another effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the government banned public gatherings and closed all pubs, clubs and restaurants.

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

People were ordered to wear masks or other face coverings when out in public.

Easing of restrictions

Some restrictions were relaxed in late April, 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.

Hairdressers, beauty parlours, restaurants, bars and cafes were allowed to reopen to customers in the middle of last month.

Poland relaxed face mask rules on Saturday, and it also allowed public gatherings of up to 150 people.

In another move to ease coronavirus measures, the government lifted restrictions on how many people can gather in places such as retail outlets, restaurants and churches though face coverings and social distancing are still required.

Nurseries and preschools throughout the country have been given the green light to resume operations.

Poland has also reopened outdoor sports areas and allowed football matches to be played behind closed doors.

Culture and entertainment venues as well as indoor sports facilities will be allowed to restart their operations from June 6.

Polish football stadiums are set to reopen to spectators from June 19.

Elementary schools began reopening to young children last week as the country lifted more COVID-19 safety measures.

But most schools at all levels of education will stay shut to students until the end of the academic year on June 26, providing distance learning instead of in-person classes, Education Minister Dariusz Piontkowski announced on Monday.

Poland on Monday reopened its skies for domestic flights.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info