Poland has today recorded its highest ever daily number of new coronavirus cases, as well as the most deaths on any day so far this year. In response to an ongoing rise in infections, the government will tomorrow announce new restrictions to enter into force from Sunday.
Today’s daily figure of 29,978 new cases surpasses the previous record of 27,875 set on 7 November, at the height of the second wave of the virus.
Last Thursday, Poland reached its second-highest ever figure of 27,278, with the health minister, Adam Niedzielski, warning that the numbers would soon pass 30,000.
Today’s total of 575 Covid-related deaths is the most recorded since 605 on 16 December. Given that the death rate lags behind infections, it is possible that Poland could soon surpass its highest daily figure of 674, reached on 25 November. Poland last year had the EU’s highest rate of excess deaths.
The number of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 – 26,511 as of this morning – is the highest it has ever been. Over 2,500 of them are on ventilators, which is also the highest ever level.
Testing has also been increased, after the government recently made it possible for people to obtain tests through an online system without a doctor’s referral. Today’s 95,900 tests was the most ever reported. Poland currently has the EU’s highest level of positive test results, at around 30%, according to Our World in Data.
In response to the current surge in cases, which began in mid-February, the government last week reintroduced tougher restrictions nationwide. Yesterday, the prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, announced that further measures would be put in place from this Sunday.
“On Thursday at the latest we will present new restrictions to suppress the virus,” said Morawiecki, adding that they would last for a period of two weeks.
With Easter falling next weekend – a time when Poles traditionally travel to visit family members and attend church – there has been speculation about restrictions on movement and even religious services. Unlike some other countries, Poland has never closed churches completely during the pandemic.
Niedzielski revealed today that he will meet with Catholic church hierarchy to discuss the issue. “I am getting signals that [current restrictions on religious services] are not being complied with,” he told Wirtualna Polska. “Today I will speak with the church authorities about compliance with these restrictions.”
Niedzielski also added that any limits on the size of gatherings over Easter would exclude people who have been vaccinated.
As of this morning, Poland has administered almost 5.2 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, with 1.8 million people (mostly medical staff and the elderly) having received two jabs.
Main image credit: Krystian Maj/KPRM (under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland. He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, including Foreign Policy, POLITICO Europe, EUobserver and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
