Waldemar Kraska added that “this is fairly good news,” Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Speaking in an interview with public broadcaster Polish Radio, Kraska said that the weekly increase in COVID-19 cases had hovered around 60 percent in previous days.
At the same time, Kraska said it was “concerning” that 33 percent of COVID-19 tests were coming back positive, "meaning that a third of those who underwent tests were infected."
Hospital cases less serious
In addition, the number of hospitalisations rose from to 1,884, from around 1,500 a week earlier, Kraska told reporters.
He added: “This is a fairly large increase although doctors looking after these patients report that their condition is much better than that of people hospitalised during previous waves.”
Kraska also said that people over 60 were most at risk of dying from COVID-19 and that’s why the government had rolled out a second booster dose for this group.
“We strongly encourage these persons to have the second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” he appealed.
New COVID-19 restrictions unlikely
Asked if the government would introduce restrictions in the autumn, Kraska replied: “I don’t think there will be restrictions; rather, there will be recommendations, the same as the current recommendations for the at-risk group, namely, to wear masks in large gatherings, such as airports, trams, buses, trains - that way, we’ll protect ourselves and those we come into contact with.”
Poland last week launched a fourth coronavirus vaccine dose for people aged 60 and older to better protect them against a new COVID-19 wave expected to peak in late August.
100 reported cases of monkeypox
Kraska was also asked about "the monkeypox situation" in Poland.
In May, Poland introduced mandatory hospitalisation for those who contract the disease. Moreover, every case must be reported to public health authorities.
Kraska said: “There have been 100 reported cases, and over 50 confirmed cases. Between 20 and 30 people are currently in hospitals with mild symptoms.”
He added: “At the moment, we’re not seeing any big increase in new monkeypox cases in Poland.”
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, dorzeczy.pl