Poland on Friday confirmed that the South African variant of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been reported in the country.
Poland’s Health Minister Adam Niedzielski disclosed this at a news conference.
The first case of the South African variant was reported outside the Polish city of Suwalki, near the border with Lithuania.
The share of the British variant of the virus recently estimated by Health Ministry officials at some 10 per cent of new infections is also rising in the country, with both variants speeding up pandemic processes, Niedzielski said.
On Friday, Poland reported nearly 8,800 new coronavirus infections and 241 fatalities, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 41,823 people.
Niedzielski urged his compatriots to observe the coronavirus restrictions in place, reiterating that the severity of the third pandemic wave will depend on citizens’ behaviour and responsibility.
Earlier, footage of large outdoor gatherings of mostly mask-less people in Zakopane, Poland’s main ski resort, provoked outcry across the country.
According to local media reports, all available rooms in hotels, which can operate at 50 per cent capacity, have been booked out in Zakopane for the coming weekend.
“I hope that last week was a shameful exception,’’ Niedzielski said.
With infection figures returning to a growth trend, Poland wants to do away with the option of covering one’s face and mouth with plastic visors or scarfs in public presently allowed as alternatives to face masks Niedzielski also added.
dpa
