Polish President Reinfected with COVID-19 Despite Receiving Booster Shot

Already Hospitalized Due to COVID-19 Last October
Swedish King and Queen Also Received Booster Shot and Experienced Breakthrough Infection

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland, has contracted COVID-19 for the second time since last October. Despite receiving a booster shot last month, he experienced a breakthrough infection. In Europe, the spread of COVID-19 has intensified due to the Omicron variant, leading to an increase in breakthrough infection cases.

On the 5th (local time), according to foreign media including CNN, the Polish presidential office announced that President Duda tested positive for COVID-19. Pavel Szrot, Chief of Staff to the Polish President, stated on Twitter, "President Duda has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment, but he does not have severe symptoms."

President Duda completed his first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in April and June of last year, respectively, and was hospitalized once after a breakthrough infection in October. Despite receiving a booster shot on the 17th of last month, he was infected again. Following his infection, staff members at the Polish presidential office have entered self-quarantine along with President Duda.

Due to the spread of the Omicron variant, Poland is also experiencing an intensified spread of COVID-19, resulting in an increase in breakthrough infection cases. According to Polish health authorities, the country recorded 17,000 new COVID-19 cases and 630 deaths on the day. With a population of 38 million, Poland has reported a cumulative total of 4 million confirmed cases and 99,000 deaths to date.

Not only in Poland but across Europe, as the spread of COVID-19 intensifies, breakthrough infection cases are being reported one after another. On the same day, in Sweden, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, who completed their booster shots last month, were infected with COVID-19. In the UK, Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, also received a booster shot last month but reportedly experienced a breakthrough infection.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.