Polish President Duda infected with COVID-19
Polish President Andrzej Duda during his visit to the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw, Oct. 23. A temporary treatment facility is being erected in the stadium to deal with hospital overflows from the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be about 500 places for those infected with the coronavirus. EPA-Yonhap
Polish President Andrzej Duda has tested positive for COVID-19 and is subject to quarantine but is feeling good, presidential minister Blazej Spychalski announced Saturday.
"The president was tested for the presence of the coronavirus yesterday. The result turned out to be positive. The president is fine. We are in constant contact with the relevant medical services," Spychalski said on Twitter.
Duda's infection comes as the country imposed new restrictions to curb the spread of the illness Saturday.
Poland faces a surge in COVID-19 cases, with new infections hitting a daily record of 13,632, Friday.
Duda, 48, holds a mainly ceremonial role, but has the power to veto legislation. He is an ally of the ruling nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS).
"The president is a young man, I think that he will pass the infection without problems," Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska told private radio RMF.
He added that he expects that all people who had contact with Duda in recent days will be quarantined. This should include tennis star Iga Swiatek, he said.
Fresh from her French Open win, Swiatek met with Duda, Friday when she was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit for her achievements in sports and the promotion of the country internationally.
From Saturday, more restrictions to curb the spread of the virus came into force, including a two-week shutdown of restaurants and bars. Schools will remain open, but only children up to third grade will attend, with older students moving to distance learning.
The government sent text messages to residents Saturday, urging them to stay home and help elderly people.
It has also banned public gatherings of more than five people.
Despite this, thousands poured onto streets Friday night to protest a ruling Thursday by the Constitutional Tribunal that imposes a near-total ban on abortion in the predominantly Roman Catholic country.
The Health Ministry reported 153 coronavirus deaths Friday, taking the total toll to 4,172. Poland has reported 228,318 COVID-19 cases.
The healthcare system has begun to buckle under the weight of the mounting infections, forcing the government to set up field hospitals.
The ruling nationalists have faced criticism in recent days from the opposition that the country is not prepared enough for the second coronavirus wave. Recent opinion polls have shown a drop in support for both the PiS and Duda. (Reuters)