English Section

Poland's coronavirus cases rise to 43,065, deaths up to 1,671: health ministry

26.07.2020 12:00
A total of 43,065 peope have tested positive for the coronavirus in Poland, with 1,671 deaths from the COVID-19 respiratory disease so far, officials said on Sunday.
Image: Gerd AltmannPixabay
Image: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay Pixabay License

The number of new virus cases rose by 443 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by seven, according to public health authorities.

Of the new cases confirmed on Sunday, 133 were in the southern Silesia coal region, where infections have spiked in mines.

Meanwhile, 109 new cases were reported in the neighboring province of Małopolskie, which includes the historic city of Kraków and the popular mountain resort of Zakopane.

The country's central Mazowieckie region, which contains the national capital Warsaw, recorded 54 new infections on Sunday.

Meanwhile, 32,753 people have now recovered from the disease, the Polish health ministry said.

On Saturday, the health ministry reported four deaths throughout the day and 584 new coronavirus infections nationwide. 

'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 mid-May.

Poland relaxed face mask rules at the end of May, 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 were given the green light to resume operations.

Poland 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.

Polish football and speedway stadiums reopened to spectators at 25 percent capacity on June 19.

Elementary schools began reopening to young children at the end of May as the country lifted more COVID-19 safety measures.

But most schools at all levels of education stayed shut to students until the end of the academic year on June 26, providing distance learning instead of in-person classes.

Poland reopened its borders with its European Union neighbours last month.

The country reopened its skies for domestic flights on June 1, while some international flights to destinations within Europe were allowed to resume later in the month.

Poland in early July resumed flights to a number of non-European Union countries, including Britain and Canada.

(tf)

Source: IAR, PAP