Deaths increase rapidly, North Korean leader speaks out about “malign epidemic”

North Korea’s state news agency KCNA said leader Kim Jong-un had called for an “all-out battle to overcome the epidemic” after the country reported 21 more deaths “due to fever”. days earlier.

At the meeting on May 14, Mr. Kim Jong-un said: “The spread of the malignant disease has caused the country to be in great turmoil since its founding. But if we do not lose focus in the implementation of the policy, With anti-epidemic policies, maintaining strength and control based on the unity of the Party and people, and strengthening the battle against the epidemic, we can overcome the crisis. Health officials must learn from experience. experience of other advanced countries, including China’s achievements in fighting the epidemic.”

Kim Jong-un also criticized the “incompetence and irresponsibility of organizations” in North Korea that have led to the current health crisis, and announced a donation of medical supplies that his family is currently receiving. hold for the fight against the epidemic.

Kim Jong-un visits the emergency prevention and control headquarters in the capital Pyongyang on May 12. Photo: Reuters

North Korea’s disease control officials reported during the meeting that most of the casualties “were due to negligence, including drug overdose due to lack of knowledge of treatment methods”.

KCNA did not specify whether the 21 deaths were due to Covid-19 or not. Earlier, on May 13, Pyongyang confirmed one death due to the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

According to this news agency, since the end of April, 524,440 people have shown signs of fever, including 174,440 new cases on May 13. About 243,630 people have been treated, but it is not clear how many have been tested.

Member Kee Park of Harvard Medical School (USA) – who has worked on health care projects in North Korea – revealed that the country tested about 1,400 people a week.

North Korea acknowledged its first outbreak of the disease this week, more than two years since the Covid-19 pandemic emerged. However, the country has no sign of mass testing or setting out a specific strategy to contain the epidemic.

KCNA said the Workers’ Party of Korea held an emergency meeting and listened to reports of about 280,810 people being treated plus 27 deaths since the “fever of unknown origin” began at the end of the month. 4 years now.