Number of fever cases exceeds 2 million, North Korea says anti-epidemic achieved ‘good results’

According to the KCNA news agency, North Korea has 263,370 more people with fever symptoms and 2 deaths on May 19. Since May 11, when the first patient was reported, the total number of “fever” cases has reached 2.24 million, with 65 deaths.

However, North Korea did not say how many of the “fever cases” tested positive for Covid-19.

Spraying disinfectant at Pyongyang railway station kcna/afp

Despite the rapid increase in the number of sick people, North Korea said agricultural activities were continuing, factories were still operating and Pyongyang had planned to hold a state funeral for a former general.

“Even in the situation of epidemic prevention and control in the maximum emergency mode, normal production activities are maintained in key industries and large-scale construction projects are still promoted.” KCNA said. “Good results are being reported regularly in the ongoing fight against the epidemic.”

The rising number of cases, coupled with a lack of medical resources and vaccines, have prompted the United Nations human rights agency to warn of “devastating” consequences for the 25 million North Koreans. At the same time, officials of The World Health Organization is concerned The risk of the virus spreading unchecked could give rise to a new, more dangerous variant.

On May 18, North Korea said the disease outbreak in the country had taken a “favorable turn”, although officials Korea It is difficult to draw conclusions because it is not clear how North Korea is calculating the number of fever and Covid-19 patients.

Martyn Williams, a researcher at 38 North in the US, said the number of government-reported “fever cases” has decreased in Pyongyang but increased in rural provinces, and it is difficult to be completely precise because unintentional or intentional error.

Korea and America both offer to help North Korea fought against the epidemic, including sending aid, but received no response, Seoul’s deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo reported on May 18.