More than 2.2 million cases of what is called “fever” have been reported in North Korea since the end of April. This was announced by state news agency KCNA. There is a good chance that many of those ‘fever cases’ were caused by COVID-19, but the country does not have the testing capacity to confirm that.
The 2.2 million “fever cases” represent nearly 10 percent of North Korea’s entire population, which is 25 million. The country has not indicated how many of those people with a fever have actually contracted COVID-19. According to experts, North Korea does not have the resources to test on a large scale.
The country reported the first official corona case in early May. Since then, according to KCNA, 65 North Koreans have died from the consequences of a corona infection.
Despite the massive outbreak of ‘fever cases’, North Korea says farming continues and factories are working. The country also plans to hold a state funeral for a retired general.
Earlier this week, the United Nations sounded the alarm over what it believes to be a growing corona outbreak in North Korea, where the unvaccinated population is particularly vulnerable. The WHO warned that the highly contagious omikron variant could easily advance, with disastrous consequences for the impoverished country.
The WHO reiterated its offer to help and vaccinate. South Korea and the United States have also offered help. North Korea has not yet responded.
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