Two men have been hospitalised in Gdańsk after returning from China with symptoms of the new coronavirus. A spokesperson for Pomerania Hospitals said their condition is good and they are now in isolation for observation.
The patients are understood to be Polish citizens who returned from Shanghai on Tuesday, passing through Amsterdam. After reporting symptoms of the virus, the two men were taken to the Pomeranian Centre for Infectious Diseases in Gdansk. The provincial sanitary department is understood to be tracing other passengers on the flight from Amsterdam to check for possible infections.
In China, where the virus originated, more than 7,700 confirmed cases have been recorded and 170 deaths have been linked to the disease. Many airlines, including Lufthansa and British Airways, have suspended flights to China. However, LOT Polish Airlines is operating it’s flights to the country.
The virus has been mostly contained to China but a small number of cases have been reported elsewhere, including in Germany and France. There are still no confirmed cases in Poland and health officials have said the risk of an epidemic in Poland is very low but everyday precautions like regular hand washing are advised.
EU Parliament ratifies Brexit deal
In Brussels, the European Parliament has formally ratified the UK’s Brexit deal in advance of the country’s exit from the European Union tomorrow. MEPs voted to ratify the withdrawal agreement by 621 votes to 49, but the vote was mainly a formality and came after EU leaders had signed the document.
Speaking after the vote, European Parliament President, David Sassoli, said he was deeply saddened by Brexit. Others also expressed sadness, with several pro-EU British MEPs shedding tears. One said she hopes Britain will one day „return to the heart of Europe”.
Later, MEPs stood and sang the famous Scottish folk song 'Auld Lang Syne’ to mark the UK’s departure from the EU.
Others, however, celebrated. Representatives from the UK’s Brexit Party cheered and waved British flags as leader Nigel Farage made his final speech in the parliament before being cut off for violating parliamentary rules.
Mr Farage said there was an „historic battle” going on between Globalism and Populism and that he knew the EU would miss the UK. He described Brexit as meaning „no more financial contributions, no more European Court of Justice” and „no more being talked down to”.
The UK is set to leave the European Union at midnight tomorrow night, almost four years after the Brexit referendum.
However, little will change at first as the UK enters a transition period until the end of this year in which the UK will be closely aligned with the EU.
Polish economy grew by 4% in 2019: Central Statistics Office
New figures from Poland’s Central Statistics Office show the Polish economy grew by 4% in 2019. The figure is a estimate but, if confirmed, it would be less than had been expected by experts. In 2018, GDP grew by 5.1%. Analysts expect that growth will continue to slow in 2020 amid a wider global slowdown, but will remain solid with the European Commission forecasting 3.3% and the World Bank saying 3.6%.
RG News/TH
