The first confirmed case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus in Poland has been announced. The carrier was a 30-year-old woman from Lesotho who had been attending a UN digital summit in Katowice.

All of the event’s participants took a Covid test on the last day of the summit, and three were found to be positive. All these samples were sent for detailed analysis, and one was shown to be the Omicron variant.

The voivode of Silesia, Jarosław Wieczorek, said the woman is feeling well, and staying in an isolation room.

The ministry of health tweeted that during the summit she had used personal protective equipment all the time, and had eaten meals in her hotel room.

Source: PAP

Deadly December 1970 protests remembered

Ceremonies of remembrance have been held in Gdańsk and along the coast to honour the 45 people killed in the „December 1970” protests.The tributes included laying flowers, lighting candles, and prayers for the victims at several locations.

At the time, thousands of people rose up to object against food price rises imposed by the communist regime.The government authorised the use of weapons against them, and protestors were killed in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin and Elbląg.

The vice president of the Gdańsk board of Solidarity, Roman Kuzimski, recalled yesterday that no-one had been held accountable for the crimes.

Source: radiogdansk.pl

Gdynia footballer charged with fraud

The former captain and coach of Arka Gdynia football club has been held in pre-trial detention after being charged with VAT fraud.

Krzsztof S.’s case is connected to the breakup of a criminal gang involved in financial crimes including tax fraud and money laundering. Almost 50 people have already been charged in the investigation by the Gdańsk office of the National Public Prosecutor.

The footballer is accused of obtaining financial benefits for work and services that were never performed, including marketing services for people associated with football clubs, and the purchase of sports equipment.

Source: radiogdansk.pl

Man shot and killed by police during callout

Police shot and killed a 32-year-old man during an emergency callout in Warmia-Masuria province on Wednesday night.

A police spokesman said officers arrived in response to reports of a man behaving aggressively at the door of an apartment.
The man then allegedly attacked and tried to strangle a police officer, after which one shot was fired.

The prosecutor’s office in Olsztyn is examining the incident.

Source: PAP

Grants for stay-at-home schoolkids

Parents of some schoolchildren sent home for distance learning are to receive an additional care allowance.

The Family and Social Policy minister, Marlena Maląg, announced that parents of children aged up to eight, and those of older children with disabilities, will receive the money.

The grants will apply to the next period of distance learning prompted by the pandemic, which starts on Monday and is scheduled to end on 9 January.

Source: polskieradio24.pl

Weather

It will be a relatively mild day in Gdańsk today, dry with a top temperature of 5°C or 41°F, and even some glimpses of sun this afternoon. Overnight will drop to 2°C, 35°F, and the milder weather will continue for at least the next couple of days.

Andrew Carter/MarWer