Poland on Saturday reported 389 new coronavirus infections and seven more deaths related to COVID-19, with the highest number of cases in Pomerania.
While the numbers are nowhere near the peak of infections and deaths last April, health officials are warning of an impending fourth wave of the pandemic, with Health Minister Adam Niedzielski warning the daily number of new coronavirus infections could reach 5,000 by late October.
In an interview with RMF FM on Saturday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki described measures Poland is taking to prepare for the fourth wave, including providing an adequate number of available hospital beds and keeping a stockpile of over 10 million vaccine doses on hand.
According to recent data, unvaccinated individuals make up 98-99% of severe cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Poland. In the words of Morawiecki: “It’s hard to find better proof that vaccinations work…I think when people understand that this wave is growing…then the interest in the vaccination program will be higher.”
One measure Poland will not be taking, however, is mandating compulsory vaccinations as in France and Germany. Morawiecki also indicated that the Polish government has no plans to reinstate restrictive lockdowns, as such measures would mean a loss of potentially billions of złotys from the Polish economy.
Source: PAP
Last night, Poland defeated Serbia 3-2 in the Men’s European Volleyball Championships before a 12,000-strong crowd at Tauron Arena in Kraków.
The world champion Polish team was an even match for returning European champions Serbia, a team that had been undefeated at EuroVolley since 2017.
Members of the Polish team, particularly outside spiker Bartosz Kurek, were reportedly eager to prove themselves after a disappointing showing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games last month. Poland was knocked out in the quarterfinal round by France, who went on to win the gold medal.
The Polish team reportedly got a boost from the nearly packed audience at Taurun Arena, defeating the Serbians in a nail-biting tie-breaker.
The Polish team returns to the court tonight to face off against Greece; the match will begin at 20:30 in Tauron Arena.
Source: worldofvolley.com, PAP
Alicja Jeromin won bronze in the women’s T47 200 meters running event at the Tokyo Paralympics on Saturday, increasing Poland’s total medal haul to 25.
Jeromin set a new European record of 25.05 seconds, just behind Venezuela’s Lisbeli Vera Andrade and Brittini Mason of the US.
Earlier in the day, Renata Śliwińska won gold in the women’s F40 shot put event with her winning throw of 8,75 meters, setting a new Paralympics record in the process.
The 2020 Paralympics are set to wrap up later today, with Poland currently at 25 medals, including seven gold, six silver, and twelve bronze.
Source: Radio Poland
Nearly 200 people were evacuated from the Sopot Aquapark last night after smoke was reported in part of the building.
Shortly before 19:00, rescuers received a notification about heavy smoke in a portion of the facility, and four fire trucks were dispatched to the scene. As a precaution, 178 employees and visitors were evacuated from the premises.
No one was injured during the evacuation, and smoke extraction and ventilation of the Aquapark were already in progress as of last night. Though a short circuit is being faulted for the blaze, it is still unknown what caused the fire or when the Aquapark will reopen to visitors.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and cool, with winds coming in from the north and very little chance of rain. Temperatures will peak around a high of 17°C, or 62°F, cooling off overnight to a low of 7°C or 44°F. Similar weather is expected into Monday, with temperatures continuing to warm up as the week progresses.
Elizabeth Peck
