Poland’s Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska has suggested the third wave of coronavirus in Poland is receding according to recent epidemiological indices.

The newest data from the Health Ministry reports only 239 new infections and 47 additional deaths in Poland, a 42% decline in infections compared to the same time last week, and a significant drop from April 1, in which a record 35,251 new single-day cases were reported by the Health Ministry.

More significantly, the R or reproduction factor of the virus in Poland is now at 0.66, a metric which Kraska explains means Poland „is in a very good place and the epidemic is evidently receding.”

Source: Radio Poland

In response to the declining number of infections, Poland’s government announced a further easing of coronavirus restrictions last Thursday.

As of today, churches and other places of worship are allowed to be half full. From June 26th, sports facilities will be allowed to be at 50% capacity for concerts and sporting events. Trade fairs and conferences will also be permitted to admit more visitors, while hotels can be at 75% capacity.

People who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus will not count toward these limits. As of last Friday, over 9.2 million people in Poland were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, with over 23 million shots having been administered.

Source: Radio Poland

Supermarket staff in Warsaw recently discovered over 160 kilos of cocaine hidden in a crate of bananas.

According to Sylwester Marczak, a spokesman for the Warsaw police, the packages had been hidden in very large boxes, adding it was unlikely that any more of the drugs would be found at other shops of the supermarket chain.

Marczak went on to point out that Warsaw police have seized over half a tonne of drugs just this year, valued at over 30 million złoty, or 6.5 million Euro.

Source: Radio Poland

Iga Swiątek is back on the court today, competing in the finals of the women’s doubles competition of the French Open.

Świątek, who crashed out of the singles’ competition last week, will be joined by Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States as they make a bid for the championship title. The No. 14-seeded duo are facing off against the No. 2 seeded Czech team of Barbara Krejčíková and Katarzyna Siniaková. The match was set to begin at 11:30 Central European time.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, wtatennis.com

The Polish national football team is reportedly in high spirits as they prepare for their first official EURO 2020 match tomorrow against Slovakia.

Training sessions are being held here in Gdańsk before the team departs for Russia and their first match in St. Petersburg.

In an interview with Radio Polska, Defender Maciej Rybus described Slovakia as „an experienced team” with „a dangerous counter-attack, they can be high pressing and transport the ball fast towards the goal area, so this will be a tough match, as it is always with the first matches, because of that unknown factor.”

The Polish national team is ranked 21st worldwide by football’s governing body FIFA, while Slovakia is No. 36 in the FIFA table. The match is set to kick off tomorrow in St. Petersburg at 18:00 Central European time.

Source: Radio Poland, FIFA.com

Radio Gdańsk will be hosting a series of special programs featuring news and commentary on EURO 2020 events throughout the month.

Tune in From Monday to Saturday at 7:37 for the live studio „EURO-report” for post-match comments and match announcements for the coming day.

Additionally, from Monday to Friday at 15:05, „Studio EURO” will also feature comments, expert opinions, local athletes from various disciplines, and even some lucky fans in and around popular sports locales in Trójmiasto.

EURO 2020 matches take place daily at 15:00, 18:00, and 21:00 until July 11.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

This afternoon will be mostly sunny and warm, with a strong breeze coming in from the northwest and very little chance of rain. Temperatures will peak around a high of 20°C, or 68°F, dropping to a low of 11°C or 52°F overnight. Tomorrow should again be mostly sunny and warm, with rain returning on Tuesday and hot weather arriving next weekend.

Elizabeth Peck/mw