Salt Gym for Covid-19 - 18th June 2021

This place is 130 metres underground. It's an old salt mine in Poland. Lots of tourists visit it.

The mine is a health centre too. The salt air helps people with health problems.

Now, many people with Covid problems visit. Doctor Magdalena Ramatowska talks about the air.

Magdalena Ramatowska: "Here, above all, the air is pure, without allergens. This environment is excellent for the respiratory tract. There is high humidity, very few draughts and a richness of saline aerosol that acts against inflammation and the spread of bacteria."

These visitors all had Covid-19. They have different health problems. Some people have problems walking. Other people have problems thinking.

They enter the mine in small groups. Doctors have lots of activities for them. There are dance classes, exercise machines and other activities.

Some scientists aren't sure about the salt mine treatment. They don't think it helps people. Agata Kita works at the centre. She sees a big change in people's health.

Agata Kita: Nevertheless, patients who have had Covid can return to a very good state of health. On average, their physical test results improve by 60 to 80 percent."

The health system pays for the treatment. People go there for three weeks.

Lucyna Szulc was in hospital for 20 days. A machine kept her alive. Now, she feels OK.

Lucyna Szulc: "When I came out of the hospital, I had very weak breathing. Now I feel better. I also feel that my physical condition is improving."