Six new cases of coronavirus infection were confirmed in Poland on Monday - one in Kraków, one in Wrocław, one in Poznań, and three in Racibórz. Therefore, the total number of confirmed cases went up to 17. "The most important thing is to not leave the place of quarantine" - the Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski stressed at a press conference in Warsaw.
The first case on Monday was reported in the morning by Jerzy Friediger - the head of Stefan Żeromski hospital in Kraków. "A man was admitted to the hospital on Saturday evening. He has recently been in northern Italy. His condition is good, stable" - the director said.
Later on that day, three further cases of coronavirus infection were confirmed to TVN24 by Ryszard Rudnik - director of the Regional Hospital in Racibórz. He said that the three patients were middle-aged people and their condition was good.
The Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski said at a press conference at noon that the overall number of coronavirus infection cases in Poland went up to 16. The last case was confirmed in Wrocław. He added that 170 people were hospitalised and over 4.000 were quarantined at home.
The 17th case was confirmed by the Ministry of Health after 4pm on Monday. The coronavirus was detected in a woman staying at a hospital in Poznań.
"We are prepared"
"I'd like strongly call upon those under home quarantine - the most important thing is to not leave the place of quarantine" - minister Szumowski stressed at the conference in Warsaw. "We know that in Italy some people went out despite the quarantine and we all know how it ended" - he underscored.
"Let's protect each other, our relatives, let's protect everyone around - when we're under quarantine, we cannot go out for a walk, to a shop, or to buy bread" - said the health minister. He added that it was prohibited under administrative - and in some cases - criminal liability.
At the same time Szumowski called for common sense, calm and consideration. "We know that hospitals are fully prepared for patients intake, we have room in hospitals and so far no one should have problems with access to infectious diseases hospital" - the minister said.
"We're aware that we must take all action available to help those infected. We are prepared" - he declared.
Coronavirus in Poland
The first case of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ) infection in Poland was reported on Wednesday, March 4.
On Friday four new cases were reported: two patients in Szczecin - who had returned from Italy, one in Wrocław - who had returned from the United Kingdom, and one in Ostróda. The Ministry of Health informed about the sixth case on Saturday. On Sunday five further cases were reported.
POLAND'S NATIONAL HEALTH FUND HAS OPENED A 24/7 HOTLINE (800 190 590) PROVIDING INFORMATION ON HOW TO PROCEED AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO RISK OF INFECTION.
Autorka/Autor: gf
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP