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Poland's coronavirus cases rise to 33,119, deaths up to 1,412: health ministry

25.06.2020 10:40
A total of 33,119 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Poland, with 1,412 deaths from the COVID-19 respiratory disease so far, officials said on Thursday.
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Pixabay LicenseImage by fernando zhiminaicela from Pixabay

The number of new virus cases rose by 298 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by 16, according to public health authorities.

Of the new cases confirmed on Thursday, 125 were in the country's southern Silesia coal region, where infections have spiked in mines.

Meanwhile, 29 new cases were reported in the central Mazowieckie province, which includes the capital Warsaw.

The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak are six men aged 58 to 85 and 10 women aged 41 to 95, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.

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

On Wednesday, the Polish health ministry reported 21 deaths throughout the day and 273 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with 16 deaths and 300 new cases a day earlier.

The health ministry announced on Thursday morning that 1,974 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals nationwide, 74 of them on ventilators, with a further 92,409 people quarantined for possible coronavirus exposure, and 17,139 under epidemiological supervision.

Meanwhile, 18,654 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 in late May.

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

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 are staying shut to students until the end of the academic year on Friday, providing distance learning instead of in-person classes, following an announcement by Education Minister Dariusz Piontkowski.

Poland reopened its borders with its European Union neighbours earlier this month.

The country reopened its skies for domestic flights on June 1, while international flights were allowed to resume last week.

Polish football and speedway stadiums reopened to spectators at 25 percent capacity at the end of last week.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info