North Korea Claims To Be Handling COVID-19 Well, But Fever Cases Reach Two Million And Deaths Rise

North Korean soldiers are deployed in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korea claims to have achieved good results in handling the COVID-19 outbreak, which was first confirmed last week, even though the number of its citizens with fever has now crossed two million people and deaths have increased.

North Korea reported 263.370 more people with fever symptoms, and two more deaths, bringing the total fever caseload to 2.24 million as of Thursday evening, including 65 deaths, according to state media KCNA.

Like previous reports, the figures do not say how many have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Despite the caseload, North Korea says agriculture continues, factories are working and is planning a state funeral for a former general.

"Even under the situation of maximum emergency epidemic prevention, normal production is maintained in key industrial sectors and large-scale construction projects are relentlessly pushed," KCNA reported.

"Reported good results continue in the ongoing anti-epidemic war," the report added.

The growing caseload, coupled with a lack of medical resources and a vaccine, has led the UN human rights agency to warn of "devastating" consequences for North Korea's 25 million people.

Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) officials are concerned that the uncontrolled spread of infection cases could lead to the emergence of new, more deadly variants.

Two days ago, North Korea said the country's virus outbreak had changed course for the better, although officials in South Korea said it was difficult to draw conclusions, as it was unclear how North Korea counted the number of fever and COVID-19 patients.

Government-reported fever cases have been declining in Pyongyang but increasing in rural provinces, and either through error or deliberate manipulation is unlikely to be completely accurate, said Martyn Williams, a researcher at US-based North 38.

"I doubt they represent the right picture," he said on Twitter.

South Korea and the United States have both offered to help North Korea fight the virus, including sending aid, but have not yet received a response, Seoul's deputy national security adviser said Wednesday.