Poland’s Health Minister, Adam Niedzielski, has warned that a fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is likely to hit, most likely in the second half of August.
Niedzielski told Radio Plus on Tuesday that he expects a surge of cases similar to the one that is currently taking place in the UK, where the Delta variant is causing rising infection numbers, according to Xinhua news agency.
He also stated that wearing an indoor mask will remain mandatory for the time being.
While the Delta variant appears to be more infectious than previous coronavirus mutations, vaccines appear to prevent serious symptoms and hospitalisation, according to Niedzielski.
He also stated that vaccinations would be provided free of charge until at least September.
Poland has gradually eased restrictions imposed to contain the pandemic, with infection rates decreasing and more citizens being vaccinated.
So far, 11.7 million Poles, or 30.68 percent of the total population, have been fully vaccinated.
To date, the country has administered a total of 27,512,324 vaccine doses.
Poland has recorded 2,879,811 confirmed coronavirus cases and 75,005 deaths since the pandemic began last year.
