Contents
- March 4 – the first case of coronavirus in Poland
- March 6 – another four cases of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection
- March 8 – entry into force of the law on special solutions related to the coronavirus
- March 9 – border controls and more people infected
- March 10 – the prime minister cancels mass events. The number of infected people is growing
- March 11 – the government decides to close educational institutions
- March 12 – the first death victim of the coronavirus in Poland
- March 13 – the prime minister introduces a state of epidemic threat
- March 17 – patient zero left the hospital
- March 20 – introduction of the epidemic in Poland
- March 24 – Shipment restrictions introduced
- March 25 – Coronavirus infections exceed 1000
- March 30 – Coronavirus cases exceed 2000
- March 31 – new restrictions in connection with the coronavirus epidemic
- April 3 – the number of people infected with the coronavirus exceeds 3000
Ever since more and more COVID-19 cases were recorded in Western Europe, everyone waited anxiously when the coronavirus would reach Poland. On March 4, 2020, during a press conference, Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski announced the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection in our country. What happened this month? How is the fight against a pandemic?
We heard about the first patient who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in Poland on March 4. A man who traveled by bus from Germany to Poland was taken to a hospital in Zielona Góra. The 66-year-old resident of Cybinka became “patient zero”, and he gained real fame thanks to the head of the Sanepid in Słubice, who told in a colorful way the situation related to the first case of coronavirus in Poland.
On March 4, the Ministry of Health released data on the number of samples tested for the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus on Twitter.
We also learned from the daily coronavirus report that 65 people are hospitalized, 349 are quarantined, and 4540 are under epidemiological surveillance.
Worth reading: Patient “zero” with coronavirus in Poland has become famous. What about the protection of personal data?
During a press conference, the minister of health confirmed another four cases of COVID-19. Among the four infected were a married couple from Szczecin (63 and 65) who returned from Italy, a 26-year-old from Wrocław who traveled by coach from Great Britain, and a middle-aged woman who traveled with patient zero.
On that day, the number of people hospitalized increased to 128, the number of people quarantined to 1299, and the number of people under epidemiological supervision to 6184.
See also: Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 – a glossary of terms worth knowing
The Senate supported, without amendments, the act on special solutions related to the prevention, counteraction and combating COVID-19, other infectious diseases and the crisis situations caused by them. The act included, inter alia, provisions on remote work, cases of closing nurseries, kindergartens and schools, special safety rules for medical personnel and other employees dealing with infected people.
On Sunday, March 8, the law on special solutions related to the coronavirus enters into force. LOT Polish Airlines suspends all flights to Italy until March 12. Flights to China are suspended until April 25. Wizzair suspended flights from Warsaw, Gdańsk and Katowice to Bergamo until April 3.
The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate issues recommendations in connection with the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. It is about refraining from attending mass events, not traveling to countries with a high risk of contamination, and washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
GIS also recommended the cancellation of all mass events of over 1000 people organized in closed rooms. In total, we had 11 confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection in Poland.
See also: The Minister of Health introduces a ban on the export of drugs from the country. Masks and flu medications are on the list
March 9 – border controls and more people infected
On Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the implementation of sanitary controls on the border with Germany and the Czech Republic, at the main border crossings. The inspection covers border crossings in Kołbaskowo, Świecko, Olszyna, Jędrzychowice and Gorzyczki.
In addition, checks on trains will be implemented, especially in cross-border traffic and in ports.
Health Minister Łukasz Szumowski confirmed more cases of infections in Poland – we already have 17. He also admitted that we expect an increase in the number of cases in the coming days.
– Hospitals are being prepared to increase the number of infectious diseases hospitals, transform some hospitals into homonymous infectious diseases hospitals, to increase the ventilator base and increase the number of intensive care units, or to find out which of them will be transformed into units treating patients with coronavirus – he said at the conference.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, in turn, appealed to the organizers of mass events to refrain from their organization, explaining that they were one of the reasons for the faster spread of the coronavirus in Germany and Italy.
The ministry also published workflows for primary health care facilities as well as night and holiday health care in connection with the coronavirus. Patients who wanted to make an appointment in the facility heard about teleporting for the first time. POZ and NiŚOZ, in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and GIS, limited the number of people admitted in their facilities.
See also: Important! Sanepidu warnings for seniors in connection with the coronavirus
March 10 – the prime minister cancels mass events. The number of infected people is growing
On March 10, we already have 22 cases of coronavirus. Another infected person is a resident of the Lublin Province, who is in a hospital in Bełżyce. This is the first case of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in this province.
At a press conference, the Minister of Health announced the introduction of strict control methods for people in quarantine. A police officer will knock on the door of each person subject to quarantine to check that everything is okay and confirm that the person is indeed in the quarantine facility.
March 11 – the government decides to close educational institutions
On that day, during a press conference, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the decision to close educational institutions and universities. From 12.03/12 they will not be available to the educational process, but from 13 to XNUMX they will be open and teachers in the classrooms will look after the children.
On March 11, 31 cases of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection were recorded in Poland. The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 pandemic.
See also: What is happening in the clinics? You won’t go to the pediatrician and internist anymore
On March 12, the first victim of the coronavirus died in a hospital in Poznań. The 56-year-old woman was hospitalized on March 9. Her husband was also infected with the coronavirus.
Minister Szumowski also spoke about the organization of a network of homonymous infectious diseases hospitals. One such hospital is to be established in each voivodeship, which will be able to hospitalize for coronavirus and other diseases. The minister also announced the possibility of introducing an epidemic emergency.
Number of people infected with the coronavirus: 51.
March 13 – the prime minister introduces a state of epidemic threat
During the evening press conference, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki informed about the introduction of an epidemic emergency in Poland.
During the night from Saturday to Sunday (from 14 to 15.03), international air and rail connections were suspended. Car traffic for Poles returning to the country will be maintained, but there will be strict sanitary controls at the borders. Every citizen returning from abroad must undergo a 14-day quarantine.
In addition, there is a ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people. It was also decided to temporarily suspend the operation of shops in shopping malls and limit the operation of restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as cultural institutions.
Zobacz: What is an epidemic emergency?
In connection with the introduction of the state of epidemic threat, the “Flight home” program was launched
March 17 – patient zero left the hospital
On that day, the media reported that 66-year-old patient zero from the hospital in Zielona Góra ended hospitalization and went home. This message was published on its Facebook fanpage by the hospital itself.
Number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus: 238. Number of deaths: 5
March 20 – introduction of the epidemic in Poland
On March 20, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the introduction of the epidemic in Poland at a press conference. The closure of educational establishments and universities, as well as cultural establishments, shops in shopping centers (except grocery stores and pharmacies) was extended until April 12th. The penalty for non-compliance with the quarantine increased from 5 to 30.
Check: The state of the epidemic in Poland – the most important changes
In Poland, we have 424 confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection.
March 24 – Shipment restrictions introduced
Further restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic concern restrictions on movement with the exception of the road to and from work, volunteering in the fight against coronavirus and essential matters of everyday life. Assemblies and parties are also prohibited, except for events in which only family members or relatives participate.
The government also introduces restrictions on the number of passengers in public transport – they can only occupy half of the seats in a given means of transport.
See also: What about visits to specialist doctors now?
On March 25, the number of people infected with the coronavirus was 1051 people died from COVID-14. The number of people hospitalized on that day was 19 people, 1615 people were quarantined, 70 people were in compulsory quarantine due to their return to the country, and 528 people were under epidemiological surveillance.
On that day, the number of people infected with the coronavirus in Poland exceeded 2000 – 2055 to be exact. The number of deaths within five days has doubled. At the end of the day, it was 31 people.
The Ministry of Health also reminded that from March 27, people who regularly cross the border due to employment in another country, after reaching the territory of Poland, are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
On the last day of the month, the government announced new restrictions due to the epidemic. An obligation was introduced to maintain a minimum distance of 2 meters between pedestrians – this also applies to family members, excluding parents with children under 13 and dependent persons. Moreover, children and adolescents under the age of 18 are not allowed to leave home unattended. The government also limited access to city bikes, parks, beaches, boulevards, promenades, etc., and set maximum limits on the number of customers in stores.
Hairdressing salons, beauty parlors, piercing and tattoo parlors were also closed. Large-area DIY stores will not be open on weekends. You can read more about the restrictions on the website of the Ministry of Health.
Number of people infected with coronavirus: 2311. Number of deaths: 33.
The State Forests temporarily prohibit access to forests. The number of people infected with the coronavirus in Poland has exceeded 3000. The Ministry of Health reported that 3266 people received positive tests. 65 COVID-19 patients have died.
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers