Of the new cases confirmed on Thursday, the most—2,380—were in the central Mazowieckie region, which includes the national capital Warsaw.
Meanwhile, 1,913 new infections were reported in the western province of Wielkopolskie, which is home to the major city of Poznań.
The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak are 190 people with pre-existing medical conditions and 76 others who died directly because of COVID-19, the health ministry said.
On Wednesday, Poland confirmed 277 deaths and 14,737 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with 269 deaths and 12,984 fresh cases a day earlier.
On January 27, the Polish health ministry reported a record daily rise in coronavirus infections, confirming 57,659 new cases, the most since the pandemic hit the country almost two years ago.
On April 8, 2021, the country reported its highest daily toll of 954 deaths related to the coronavirus.
Poland's first case of coronavirus infection was reported on March 4, 2020.
10,957 in hospitals, 87,221 quarantined
The Polish health ministry announced on Thursday morning that 10,957 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals nationwide, 696 of them on ventilators, with a further 87,221 people quarantined for possible coronavirus exposure.
Meanwhile, 5,099,515 people have now recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country, the health ministry also said.
Poland lifted most COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday after the government said the coronavirus pandemic was easing in the country.
Health Minister Adam Niedzielski told reporters last week that “essentially, only the purely epidemic restrictions, designed to limit the transmission of the virus, will remain in place."
These include rules on wearing face masks, isolation and quarantine, he said at the time.
Earlier this month, the government lifted the quarantine requirement for those who have come into contact with infected persons and shortened the isolation period for people with COVID-19 from 10 to seven days.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Warsaw on February 9, Niedzielski said: “We are in fact dealing with the beginning of the end of the pandemic.”
Free COVID-19 shots for Ukrainians
Niedzielski told reporters last week that Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion of their country would be covered by Poland's COVID-19 vaccination programme free of charge.
“It’s an expression of our concern for the welfare of our closest neighbours,” Niedzielski said.
To receive the vaccine, Ukrainian refugees only have to produce an ID document, such as a permanent or temporary ID card or a passport, according to officials.
Medical services for war refugees
Public health officials declared on Wednesday that all Ukrainian citizens taking refuge in Poland in the wake of Russia's military aggression against their country would be provided with medical assistance "on the same terms as Polish patients."
Poland's National Health Fund (NFZ) will cover the cost of such services from public coffers, they announced.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP