North Korea confirms its first death from Covid-19

About 187,000 people are being treated in isolation after a fever of unknown origin “erupted strongly across the country” since late April, KCNA added.

About 350,000 people have shown symptoms related to this fever, of which 18,000 people reported symptoms on May 10, KCNA confirm. To date, about 162,200 of these people have been treated, but it is not clear how many are positive for Covid-19.

At least 6 people with symptoms of fever have died, including 1 person with confirmed Omicron variant, KCNA Notification.

People in Pyongyang wear masks for fear of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo taken in March 2020. Photo: Reuters

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, visited the epidemic prevention and control center on May 10 to check on the situation and response plan after declaring the “most serious emergency”. . On May 12, Kim issued a nationwide blockade order.

Leader Kim Jong-un “says that the outbreak of fever in the capital area shows that there is a weakness in the epidemic prevention system that North Korea has established”, according to the statement. KCNA.

The North Korean leader requested that active isolation and treatment of people with fever be put first. At the same time, Kim Jong-un called for the introduction of “lightning-fast” scientific treatment methods and tactics, and accelerated the supply of drugs.

In another dispatch, KCNA said health authorities are making efforts to organize testing and treatment systems, as well as strengthen disinfection work.

Leader Kim Jong-un during a visit to North Korea’s National Emergency Prevention and Control Headquarters on May 12. Photo: Reuters