After a week of announcing the epidemic, North Korea recorded nearly 2 million cases of “fever”

North Korea, which has imposed a nationwide lockdown, is also ramping up production of traditional fever-reducing and pain-relieving medicines. KCNA added, and described it as an “effective tool in the prevention and treatment of dangerous epidemics”.

Since confirming the Covid-19 outbreak last week, North Korea has so far recorded nearly 2 million fever cases and 63 deaths, of which more than 262,270 cases and 1 death were reported on May 19.

The country has not reported the number of Covid-19 infections but has enacted strict epidemic prevention measures.

Factories are ramping up production of injectables, oral medications, thermometers and medical supplies in Pyongyang and surrounding areas “at lightning speed” while ramping up nationwide disinfection work.

“Thousands of tons of salt have been urgently transported to Pyongyang to produce disinfectant solutions” – KCNA added.

South Koreans watch the news about the Covid-19 situation in North Korea. Photo: Reuters

The news was posted after leader Kim Jong-un expressed dissatisfaction with the distribution of drugs and criticized North Korean officials for their “ineffective” response to the pandemic.

Lacking a vaccine, North Korea is said to be fighting a “fever epidemic” with antibiotics and home remedies.

According to Reuters On May 16, North Korea is mobilizing forces including the military and conducting a public information campaign to combat the outbreak of “fever epidemic”.

North Korean media do not use the word “Covid-19” when referring to this disease, but the news agency Yonhap (South Korea) reported that North Korea is being attacked by Covid-19.

Lacking a vaccine, North Korea is said to be fighting a “fever epidemic” with antibiotics and home remedies. Photo: Yonhap

North Korea’s Vice Minister of Public Health Kim Hyong-hun said the country has moved from isolation to treatment to handle hundreds of thousands of suspected “fever” cases reported every day.

To treat “fever”, North Korean state media encourages patients to use pain relievers and fever reducers such as ibuprofen, amoxicillin and other antibiotics, and recommends gargling with salt water or drinking tea three times a day. .