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Poland's COVID-19 cases rise to 28,201, deaths up to 1,215: health ministry

11.06.2020 10:45
A total of 28,201 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 1,215 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Thursday morning.
Coronavirus in Poland: Medical workers at an infectious diseases hospital in Warsaw.
Coronavirus in Poland: Medical workers at an infectious diseases hospital in Warsaw.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

The number of new virus cases rose by 359 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by nine, according to public health authorities.

Of the new cases confirmed on Thursday, 157 were in the country's southern Silesia coal region, where infections have spiked in mines.

The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak include a 32-year-old woman in the central town of Zgierz, according to the country's health ministry.

The other newly reported fatalities are four men and a woman in their 80s in Zgierz; an 84-year-old woman in the central city of Łódź; a 65-year-old man in the western city of Poznań; and a 60-year-old man in the central town of Radomsko.

Most of these patients had pre-existing medical conditions, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.

On Wednesday, the Polish health ministry reported 23 deaths throughout the day and 282 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with 19 deaths and 400 new cases a day earlier.

The health ministry announced on Thursday morning that 1,700 people with suspected coronavirus infection were in hospitals nationwide, with a further 88,074 quarantined, and 18,234 under epidemiological supervision.

Meanwhile, 13,696 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 at the end of last month, 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 were 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 at the end of last month 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, following an announcement by Education Minister Dariusz Piontkowski.

Poland last week reopened its skies for domestic flights.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on Wednesday that Poland would reopen its borders with its European Union neighbours at the weekend, and that international flights would be allowed to resume from June 16.

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Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info