North Korea Struggles Against COVID-19, 79,100 People Fever And One Died

JAKARTA - North Korea has been battling a wave of COVID-19 since declaring a state of emergency and imposing a nationwide lockdown in May. North Korea reported about 79,100 more people with fever and one additional death amid the first confirmed coronavirus outbreak.

Quoted from state media KCNA said on Saturday, June 4, the condition sparked concerns over the lack of vaccines and medical and food supplies.

The total number of fever patients across the country since late April is close to four million, and the death toll rose by one to 71, said KCNA, which used data from the country's emergency epidemic prevention headquarters.

KCNA said the epidemic had shown signs of abating, after the daily tally of fever cases reached 390,000 two weeks ago.

North Korea has never confirmed how many people have tested positive for COVID-19, apparently short of testing supplies.

However, experts say published figures may not reflect real figures, and that could make it difficult to assess the true scale of the situation.