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Poland reports 5,569 new coronavirus cases, 326 more deaths

12.01.2021 11:46
Poland on Tuesday reported 5,569 coronavirus infections and 326 more deaths, bringing its total number of cases to 1,395,779 and fatalities to 31,593.
A vaccination point in the northern Polish city of Bydgoszcz
A vaccination point in the northern Polish city of Bydgoszcz Photo: PAP/Tytus Żmijewski

Of the new cases confirmed on Tuesday, the most – 695 – were in the central region of Mazowieckie, which contains the national capital Warsaw.

The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak are 233 people with pre-existing medical conditions and 93 who died directly because of COVID-19, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.

On November 25, the country reported its highest daily toll of 674 deaths related to the coronavirus.

On November 7, the Polish health ministry confirmed 27,875 new single-day cases, the most since the pandemic hit the country in early March.

Meanwhile, 1,138,126 people in total have now recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country, according to the health ministry.

Government spokesman Piotr Müller said on Tuesday that six million doses of coronavirus vaccines would reach Poland by the end of March.

The country expects to receive 60 million doses by the end of the year, public broadcaster Polish Radio's IAR news agency reported.

A nation in quarantine

Poland will reopen schools for young children at the start of next week, the country’s health minister said on Monday, but added that other COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place as the pandemic persists.

A range of restrictions on public life, including the closure of hotels, ski slopes and many retail outlets, will remain in place until at least January 31 although the epidemic appears to have stabilized, he said.

Poland on December 28 entered a three-week "national quarantine" as it stepped up its efforts to contain the coronavirus.

Hotels and non-essential stores were told to close until at least January 17, and a 10-day quarantine requirement was imposed on anyone arriving in the country by public transportation.

That latest set of curbs came after tougher measures to battle COVID-19 took effect across the country in November following a surge in cases amid a second wave of the pandemic.

As part of those restrictions, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries and gyms were told to close temporarily.

Under restrictions announced in October, pubs, restaurants and cafes are only allowed to provide take-aways and delivery orders.

Gatherings of more than five people are forbidden, though people who live or work together are exempt from the rule.

Beginning October 10, people must cover their mouths and noses when outdoors in public places as well as in most indoor environments nationwide.

COVID-19 tests for teachers

The country on Monday began testing teachers for COVID-19.

After a brief period of being open to students, schools and universities throughout the country last fall switched to distance learning.

(pk)

Source: IAR