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Coronavirus cases in Poland rise to 2,311, death toll at 33: health ministry

31.03.2020 20:40
A total of 2,311 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 33 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Tuesday evening.
The Warsaw headquarters of the Polish Ministry of Health.
The Warsaw headquarters of the Polish Ministry of Health.Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

The number of new virus cases rose by 256 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by two, according to public health authorities.

The latest fatal case of COVID-19 infection is a 37-year-old man who died in a hospital in Warsaw, the Polish health ministry said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, officials reported the death of a 70-year-old woman in the southern town of Tychy.

Poland’s health ministry on Monday confirmed 193 new coronavirus infections nationwide, down from 224 a day earlier.

The Polish health ministry reported on Tuesday morning that 1,900 people with suspected coronavirus infection were in hospitals nationwide, with a further 106,525 quarantined, 163,789 ordered to self-isolate after arriving from abroad, and 52,370 under epidemiological supervision.

The first infection was confirmed by Polish authorities on March 4, while the country's first coronavirus fatality was announced on March 12.

Poland has declared a "state of epidemic" and temporarily closed its borders to non-residents in a move to curb the spread of the illness.

International scheduled flights and passenger rail connections were suspended on March 15. The government is chartering special flights to help Poles abroad return home.

In another move to contain the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, the government has limited the operations of shopping malls and closed all pubs, clubs and entertainment venues.

Public gatherings of more than two people have been banned.

Health and government officials have urged Poles to stay home and practice social distancing.

An initial two-week closure of the country’s schools has been extended until Easter.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Health Minister Łukasz Szumowski on Tuesday announced tough new restrictions on daily life as the country battles the coronavirus epidemic.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP