Deadliest day hits Poland since the start of the pandemic

Polish authorities on Wednesday reported 75 additional deaths from COVID-19 in a 24-hour span, the deadliest day due to the disease in the country since the start of the pandemic.

The daily number of 3,003 confirmed new cases also broke the previous record of 2,367 set on Oct. 3.

Due to the high numbers, the Polish health ministry again urged citizens to show more discipline in covering nose and mouth and social distancing in public places. Mask wearing was already compulsory in government buildings and public transport, but the

Polish authorities announced earlier this week that they will start imposing fines on those not complying with the rules.

According to the health ministry, the capital Warsaw will almost certainly be added to a list of regions where additional restrictions are in place. These include limits on audience numbers during events and on business premises.

Despite the increased numbers, a spokesperson for the ruling Law and Justice party told Polish media on Wednesday morning that the situation was under control.

“We currently have eight thousand beds ready for COVID-19 patients,” Radoslaw Fogiel told Polish public radio.

“Please note that, despite the rising numbers, most patients do not need to be admitted to hospital, so we have a safety buffer in place, while we also have the capacity to increase the number of beds if needed.”

There is currently no plan to close the country’s border, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Bartosz Grodecki told Polish press agency PAP.

Also on Wednesday, English channel Poland In run by TVP, the country’s largest television network, reported that the European Commission has announced the delivery of the drug Veklury (remdesivir) to EU member states, including Poland. It is the only drug permitted in the EU for treating COVID-19 patients needing additional oxygen.

As the world is struggling to control the pandemic, countries across the globe — among them Germany, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — are racing to find a vaccine.

According to the website of the World Health Organization, as of Oct. 2, there were 193 COVID-19 candidate vaccines being developed worldwide, and 42 of them were in clinical trials.

Read alsoPoland mulls new restrictions as COVID-19 cases spike

Source: Xinhua