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Poland reports 5,696 new coronavirus cases, 12 more deaths

20.03.2022 10:50
Poland on Sunday reported 5,696 new coronavirus infections and 12 more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the country's total number of cases during the pandemic to 5,891,140 and fatalities to 114,218.
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS particle Computer Generated.
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS particle Computer Generated.Photo: Felipe Esquivel Reed, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Of the new cases confirmed on Sundaythe most—977—were in the central Mazowieckie region, which includes the national capital Warsaw.

Meanwhile, 695 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 11 people with pre-existing medical conditions and one person who died directly because of COVID-19, the health ministry said.

On Saturday, Poland confirmed 119 deaths and 10,379 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with 107 deaths and 11,660 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 more than 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.

6,669 in hospitals, 51,693 quarantined

The Polish health ministry announced on Sunday morning that 6,669 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals nationwide, 413 of them on ventilators, with a further 51,693 people quarantined for possible coronavirus exposure.

Meanwhile, 5,231,888 people have now recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country, the health ministry also said.

Poland lifted most COVID-19 restrictions at the start of this month after the government said the coronavirus pandemic was easing in the country.

Free COVID-19 shots for Ukrainians

Health Minister Adam Niedzielski announced last month 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 at the time. 

To receive the vaccine, Ukrainian refugees only have to produce an identity document, such as a permanent or temporary ID card or a passport, according to officials.

Medical help for war refugees

Public health officials have declared that all Ukrainian citizens taking refuge in Poland in the wake of Russia's military aggression against their country will 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 said.

(ał)

Source: IAR, PAP