21 More Dead As North Korea Battles Covid Outbreak
Muhammad Irfan Published May 14, 2022 | 08:20 AM
Seoul, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2022 ) :North Korea on Saturday reported 21 more deaths from 'fever', two days after the country announced its first-ever cases of Covid-19 and ordered nationwide lockdowns.
State media said 174,440 new fever cases were discovered on Friday alone and that 21 people had died, as it moved into "maximum emergency quarantine system" in a bid to slow the spread of disease through its unvaccinated population.
"On May 13, 174,440 new cases of fever were reported nationwide, 81,430 recovered, and 21 died," the KCNA report said.
The KCNA report did not specify whether the victims were positive for Covid-19, but experts say the country lacks mass testing capacity.
"The total number of sick people nationwide was 524,440, of which 234,630 were fully recovered, 288,810 were receiving treatment, and the number of deaths so far is 27," it added.
North Korea held its second Politburo meeting this week, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, who said the outbreak was causing "great turmoil" in the country, KCNA reported.
On Thursday the country confirmed that people sick with fever in the capital Pyongyang had tested positive for Omicron, including one person who had died.
It was the North's first official confirmation of Covid cases and marked the failure of a two year long coronavirus blockade maintained at great economic cost since the start of the pandemic.
State media said that the deaths were "due to negligence, including drug overdose, due to lack of knowledge of scientific treatment methods." The meeting of the country's top leader discussed "promptly distributing emergency drugs" and introducing "scientific treatment tactics and treatment methods for different patients, including those with special constitutions," KCNA reported.
Kim Jong Un said he had "faith that we can overcome this malicious infectious disease within the shortest period possible," the report added.
North Korea has a crumbling health system -- one of the worst in the world -- and lacks essential medicines and equipment, experts say.
The country has announced lockdowns nationwide, and Kim said they would be following the Chinese model of virus prevention.
"We should take lessons from the experiences and fruitful achievements in preventing virus of the China's Communist Party and its people," he said.
China, the world's only major economy to still maintain a zero-Covid policy, is itself battling multiple Omicron outbreaks -- with some major cities, including financial hub Shanghai, under stay-at-home orders.
North Korea has previously turned down offers of Covid vaccines from China, as well as from the World Health Organization's Covax scheme.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
6 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
6 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago