North Korea has confirmed its first death from Covid-19, with state media also adding that tens of thousands more are experiencing fever symptoms.
According to reports from the state media on Friday, May 13, 2022, six people died after suffering a fever with one testing positive for Omicron. It said 187,000 people with fever were being “isolated and treated”.
Although experts believe the virus has been present in the country for some time, North Korean authorities only announced the first cases on Thursday, May 13, 2022. They disclosed that there is an outbreak of the Omicron variant in the capital, Pyongyang, and announced lockdown measures. However, authorities did not give precise case numbers.
But following an update on Friday, May 13, 2022, the official KCNA news agency reported that the outbreak extended beyond the capital. It said, “A fever whose cause couldn’t be identified spread explosively nationwide from late April”. KCNA also added that figures close to 350,000 people have shown signs of that fever, but held back on specifying how many tested positive for the Coronavirus.
The Viewpoint of Analysts
Analysts suggested that the latest figures released by the state media, including the acknowledgement that the unspecified fever spread nationwide, may be an indication that the country is experiencing an outbreak unlike any it has seen so far.
Experts intimated that North Korea, with a population of 25 million, is considered vulnerable due to the lack of a vaccination programme and poor healthcare. North Korea rejected offers from the international community to supply millions of AstraZeneca and Chinese-made jabs last year. Instead, it claimed it controlled the Coronavirus by sealing its borders early in January 2020.
The country shares land borders with South Korea and China, which have both battled outbreaks. Currently, China is now struggling to contain an Omicron wave with lockdowns in its biggest cities.
Introducing the new Norm
On Friday, May 13, 2022, KCNA reported that the North Korean Leader, Kim Jong-un visited a healthcare centre and “learned about the nationwide spread of Covid-19”, which it said described the situation as an “immediate public health crisis”.
At a meeting outlining new Covid rules on Thursday, May 12, 2022, Mr. Kim was seen wearing a face mask on television for what was believed to be the first time. He ordered “maximum emergency” virus controls, which appeared to include orders for local lockdowns and gathering restrictions in workplaces.
Additionally, there are fears that a major outbreak could make it even more difficult for essential supplies to enter the country, which could lead to worsened food shortages and a faltering economy. South Korea has said it offered humanitarian aid after North Korea’s announcement on Thursday, May 12, 2022, but Pyongyang is yet to respond.
Despite North Korea’s earlier claims that it had “shining success” in keeping out Covid, there have been signs throughout the pandemic of its possible presence in the country including unconfirmed reports of cases and workers wearing hazmat suits in their quest to protect themselves.
READ ALSO: I Have Given Up All Hope On This Government — Economist
