Poland extends anti-virus measures amid high pressure on hospitals

Wed, Apr 7, 2021
By editor
2 MIN READ

Foreign

POLAND would extend the anti-Coronavirus measures in place until April 18 as pressure on the health care system remains high, the country’s health minister said on Wednesday.

The situation in hospitals was “very difficult’’ with the strain especially visible in the southern industrial region of Silesia, Adam Niedzielski said during a press conference in Warsaw.

As of Wednesday, a record-high number of nearly 34,700 patients were being treated in hospitals for COVID-19. Over 3,300 patients need to be artificially ventilated.

In many cases, additional hospital beds for COVID-19patients have been created at the expense of non-COVID hospital wards.

After a stretch of new infections higher than 30,000 cases per day, Poland has recently reported lower daily caseloads, though testing also slowed down during Easter.

On Wednesday, close to 15,000 new Coronavirus cases and 638 COVID-19 deaths were reported. The overall death toll stands at 55,703.

Recent minor declined in new cases, however, were not strong enough to warrant loosening restrictions, Niedzielski said.

In late March, Poland limited the number of people who can visit large stores, closed hairdressing and beauty salons as well as kindergartens and daycare centers.

Hotels, swimming pools, gyms, and outdoor sports facilities had been closed to the public earlier.

Schools offer only remote learning. Restaurants are only allowed to offer take-out and deliver food. (dpa/NAN)

– Apr. 07, 2021 @ 12:04 GMT

Tags: