The government publishes a new strategy to fight the pandemic

The prime minister spoke about the changes in a limited way, while the minister of health extended specific topics.

Adam Niedzielski informed that the Omikron variant was confirmed in 1.4 thousand. cases. According to the minister of health, the wave will reach its peak in mid-February or at the turn of February and March. - We are behind us a week of the pandemic explosion - he said and added that for three days we have been observing a situation where the number of new infections remains above 30,000. In his opinion, there is a risk that Saturday's report (for Friday) will show more than 40,000. infections. - We are dealing with an unprecedented intensity of the pandemic phenomenon, which so far concerns the number of infections - he emphasized, adding that in Western Europe the number of infections did not entail the same degree of hospitalizations, but Poland is clearly less vaccinated than countries such as France, Spain or Italy. - The next week will show how infections on such a large scale will translate into hospitalizations - he assessed.

The minister stated that "the risk of compromising the health system capacity is highest in the course of the entire pandemic".

- In pessimistic scenarios, we assume that the base of covid beds will increase to 40, 60, and even above 60,000. These are catastrophic scenarios, which would mean diverting all resources to COVID treatment, he warned. The prime minister had assured several minutes earlier that the government would do everything to maintain access to treatment also in other areas.

According to Niedzielski, a clear increase in the number of covid beds will have to take place within a month.

Where did the idea of ​​testing in pharmacies come from? Many more people will become infected in this wave, so availability for testing must be increased. Adam Niedzielski stated that everyone willing, after completing the questionnaire, will be able to take advantage of a test performed by a pharmacist in a pharmacy, which will meet "the appropriate conditions". The pharmacies that carry out vaccination against COVID-19 are to be the basis. The minister emphasized that in many countries pharmacies perform tests and this is a proven solution.

Poland, following the example of many countries, will also shorten the quarantine - to seven days. On the one hand, this is to have a medical justification (because Omikron multiplies faster and gives symptoms), on the other - it is to reduce the chilling effect on the economy of hundreds of thousands, and maybe even millions of people staying in quarantine at the same time.

Despite the differences between Poland and Western Europe in the level of vaccination, the government strongly emphasizes the need to shift the burden of care for covid patients to outpatient care. - We assumed that this care must be intensified and here the role of primary care physicians is greater - said Niedzielski, adding that in the case of patients over 60, within 48 hours, these patients have the right, and the primary health care center is obliged to examine the patient directly.

Strategy: HERE