English Section

Poland’s virus death toll climbs to 94, cases up to 4,102

05.04.2020 17:45
A total of 4,102 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 94 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Sunday afternoon.
People line up to be tested for coronavirus at a hospital in the southern Polish city of Kraków.
People line up to be tested for coronavirus at a hospital in the southern Polish city of Kraków.Photo: PAP/Łukasz Gągulski

The number of new virus cases rose by a record 475 from the previous day, while the death toll increased by 15, according to the Polish health ministry.

The latest deaths in Poland’s coronavirus outbreak include a 66-year-old man who died in a hospital in Warsaw and a 46-year-old woman who died in the city of Radom, some 100 km south of the Polish capital, public health authorities said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, officials reported the deaths of five middle-aged and elderly patients, including a 41-year-old woman who died in a hospital in the southern city of Kraków.

On Saturday, the Polish health ministry reported eight deaths throughout the day and 244 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with 14 deaths and 437 new cases a day earlier.

The health ministry announced on Sunday morning that 2,434 people with suspected coronavirus infection were in hospitals nationwide, with a further 131,888 quarantined, and 39,157 under epidemiological supervision.

Meanwhile, 134 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in hospitals across the country, the health ministry also said.

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.

The government on Tuesday announced tough new restrictions on daily life, banning children under 18 from leaving home unless supervised by an adult, closing parks and beaches, and ordering most hotels to shut. 

Officials have urged Poles to spend the upcoming Easter holidays at home and scrap any travel plans amid the COVID-19 epidemic.

(gs/pk)

 Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info