Health minister denies accusations over coronavirus equipment procurement

Poland has a lower coronavirus death rate than many other European countries. According to the latest tally released by the health ministry, Poland had reported 1,013 deaths and 21,631 cases of the coronavirus as of Tuesday morning.

But Polish media have accused Szumowski's ministry of inadequate supervision of the procurement of items such as protective masks. Gazeta Wyborcza daily reported that the ministry bought masks with fake certificates from a skiing instructor who is a family friend of Szumowski.

"Neither I, nor my brother, nor my wife, have done anything wrong. There is not a single fact that would indicate any irregularities," Szumowski told private broadcaster Polsat News. "It is evidently a game resulting from the election calendar and I have become a bit of a target to hit," Szumowski said.

President Andrzej Duda, an ally of PiS, remains the favourite in the election but opinion polls show support for Duda is falling as he and PiS struggle with image problems. A government spokesman apologised on Monday on behalf of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki who was photographed sitting in a restaurant with officials, even though he is only allowed to do so with his family.

Szumowski told weekly newspaper Sieci that Poland, which has been gradually easing its coronavirus lockdown, was well equipped to avoid a return to it after successfully halting the spread of an outbreak in Silesia. "There are tools to control this monster," Szumowski said.