Free Covid tests will be offered in pharmacies from next week and quarantine is to be cut from 10 to seven days, as Poland battles to contain the effects of a surge of the Omicron variant in the country.
The new measures were announced following news this morning that Poland had recorded its highest ever daily number of new COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, with infections forecast to rise even further over the next few weeks.
Poland today reported its highest ever number of new COVID-19 cases, 36,665.
With the Omicron variant spreading rapidly, the health ministry predicts the figure will peak around 60,000 next month, but notes that some forecasts say it will pass 100,000 https://t.co/Ovpb9MaaM5
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) January 21, 2022
From 27 January, lateral flow (rapid antigen) tests will be available for free without a referral in pharmacies after completion of an online form at home or on site.
These will be offered in pharmacies with a suitable infrastructure, meaning a separate room and ability to fulfil required safety standards, said Adam Niedzielski, the health minister. The more than 1,000 pharmacies currently carrying out vaccinations are potential candidates, he explained.
Self-administered lateral flow tests can currently be bought in pharmacies in Poland. People with symptoms and/or who have had contact with someone infected with the virus can register online for a free PCR test.
Poland currently has the EU's second highest rolling average of Covid deaths but its lowest average of new Covid cases and lowest level of testing pic.twitter.com/vIx74mvhN0
— Daniel Tilles (@danieltilles1) January 16, 2022
Meanwhile, from 24 January the period of mandatory quarantine will be reduced from 10 to seven days. This decision was based on “the experience of other countries”, said Niedzielski, who pointed to similar solutions in Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and Greece.
Noting that older people at at most risk of severe or fatal infection, the government will also now offer a guaranteed appointment with a doctor – either at their surgery or the patient’s home – within 48 hours for anyone aged over 60 who tests positive for coronavirus.
“According to what we observe in western Europe, where there is less hospitalisation and much more out-of-hospital care is required, we assumed that in this wave, out-of-hospital care must be much stronger,” said Niedzielski.
😷 Skracamy okres przebywania w kwarantannie do 7 dni. pic.twitter.com/HFQMzc9l13
— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) January 21, 2022
The government also, however, plans to increase the number of Covid beds and paramedic teams. Earlier this week, Niedzielski warned that there is a “very high risk of failure of the healthcare system” as the number of infections surges.
Today, however, Niedzielski said he hoped that the number of infections would not result in as high a burden on hospital infrastructure as in previous waves.
“The trend now is not bad as the number of occupied beds is falling,” assured Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki today, quoted by TVN24. “But experts tell us that this will be reversed and could change dramatically within seven to 10 days.”
Just over 45% of the 30,000 beds currently available are occupied at present, down from a high of 78% in mid-December. Capacity could be increased to 40,000 and then 60,000 if necessary, with the next stage being beds in every hospital being used for Covid patients in line with demand.
Main image credit: Alexandra Koch/Pixabay
Ben Koschalka is a translator and senior editor at Notes from Poland. Originally from Britain, he has lived in Kraków since 2005.
