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Poland confirms four more coronavirus cases, total up to 31

11.03.2020 20:00
Four more confirmed cases of coronavirus infection have been reported in Poland, bringing the country’s total to 31, with no deaths from the illness so far.
A health worker checks the temperature of travelers at Polands border with Slovakia.
A health worker checks the temperature of travelers at Poland's border with Slovakia. Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

The four latest cases are a woman in the western city of Poznań, a man in the southern city of Opole, and two women in the northern town of Ostróda, the country’s health ministry said in a tweet on Wednesday evening.

It added that all these patients were “in good condition.”

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on Wednesday that all schools, universities, nurseries, cinemas, theatres and museums would be closed as the country steps up efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

A day earlier Morawiecki said that large public gatherings would be banned across the country in a bid to contain the new SARS-CoV-2 virus.

President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday appealed in a televised address for people not to panic but act responsibly as infections rise.

Poland’s government has allocated around PLN 470 million (EUR 110 million, USD 123 million) in extra funds to fight the spread of the coronavirus, according to the country’s finance minister.

Poland’s bitterly divided government and opposition put their differences aside to brainstorm ways to curb the outbreak of the virus at a security summit convened by the country’s president on Tuesday.

Under special rules that came into force in Poland earlier this month, people suffering from or suspected to have an infectious disease can be ordered to undergo treatment in hospitals.

Under the new rules, employers can instruct employees to work from home.

The first case of coronavirus infection was reported in Poland last Wednesday.

The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes a disease known as Covid-19, was first reported in Wuhan, China. It has now spread to at least 115 countries.

The most common symptoms of the illness are fever, coughing, difficulty in breathing, muscle pain and fatigue.

The World Health Organisation declared on Wednesday that the global coronavirus outbreak is now a pandemic, voicing alarm over mounting infections worldwide and urging governments to step up containment efforts.

The number of worldwide cases has topped 120,000 and deaths exceeded 4,300, according to the WHO.

(gs)

Source: IAR