North Korea has confirmed the first death from Covid 19, and state media adds that tens of thousands more have fever symptoms. State media reported that 4,444 people died of fever, and one was positive for Omicron. It is said that 187,000 people with fever are “isolated and treated”.
Last year, North Korea declined an offer from the international community to supply millions of AstraZeneca and Chinese-made jabs. Instead, he claimed to have taken Covid under control by closing the border in early January 2020.
The country shares borders with South Korea and China, both fighting outbreaks. China is currently struggling to contain the blocked Omicron waves in the largest cities.
On Friday, KCNA reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the health centre and “learned about the nationwide spread of Covid 19.”
It described the situation as an “imminent public health crisis.” Experts assume the virus has been present in the country for some time, but authorities reported only the first case on Thursday.
They said a subspecies of Omicron had occurred in Pyongyang’s capital and announced a blockade. They did not reveal the exact number of cases.
However, in the latest information on Friday, the official news agency KCNA reported that the outbreak had spread beyond the capital. “The fever for which the cause could not be clarified spread explosively throughout the country from the end of April,” he said.
He ordered a “maximum emergency” virus investigation. It appears to include orders to block the area and ban work. Large outbreaks could make it even more difficult for essentials to enter the country, exacerbating food shortages and an economic slowdown.
South Korea said it provided humanitarian aid after Thursday’s announcement, but North Korea has yet to respond. North Korea has been present throughout the pandemic, including incidents of workers in hazmat suits and anonymous reports, despite previous claims that North Korea had a “great success” in the fight against COVID. There were indications of the possibility of doing so.
https://www.asianherald.com/2022/05/12/north-korea-reports-first-covid-outbreak-of-the-omicron-case/
