North Korea: No COVID-19 cases reported for first time since outbreak
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea: No COVID-19 cases reported for first time since outbreak

Firstpost  

According to experts, North Korea has one of the world’s worst healthcare systems, with poorly-equipped hospitals, few intensive care units, and no mass testing ability Seoul: North Korea reported zero fever cases on Saturday for the first time in more than two months since it confirmed its first Covid-19 infections in May. “There were no new fever patients reported” over a 24-hour period from Thursday evening, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said, marking the first time the isolated country had reported no new cases since it began tallying numbers in May. North Korea has recorded nearly 4.8 million infections since late April, KCNA said, adding “99.994 percent” of them had fully recovered with just 204 patients under treatment. WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said last month he assumed the situation in North Korea was “getting worse not better”, though he acknowledged Pyongyang had provided very limited information.

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History of this topic

COVID-19 infections not problematic, experts say
7 months ago

COVID-19 infections not problematic, experts say

China Daily  

The number of people in China being infected with COVID-19 is fluctuating reasonably and won't be a burden on medical resources or the public, experts said. However, the National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases said the percentage of people catching flu and testing positive for COVID-19 rose from 8.9 percent in early July to 18.7 percent late last month. "COVID-19 …

North Korean leader says thousands of flood victims will be brought to capital for temporary care
7 months, 1 week ago

North Korean leader says thousands of flood victims will be brought to capital for temporary care

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea will not seek outside help to recover from floods that devastated areas near the country’s border with China, leader Kim Jong Un said as he ordered officials to bring thousands of displaced residents to the capital to provide them better care. The agency gave Kim its typical effusive praise, saying the visit showed his …

Report: North Korea is producing viruses for germ warfare program
11 months ago

Report: North Korea is producing viruses for germ warfare program

Daily Mail  

North Korea is producing viruses and bacteria for their germ warfare programme that already has an arsenal capable of causing chaos and terror in the region, according to a US report. In their latest assessment of Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction, the US said the mysterious state ruled by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has developed sprays and 'poison pens' which …

North Korea’s COVID curbs still strangling economy, report says
1 year ago

North Korea’s COVID curbs still strangling economy, report says

Al Jazeera  

Cross-border movement of people and trade have practically evaporated since the pandemic, Human Rights Watch says. Tightened border controls introduced to curb COVID-19 are still strangling North Korea’s economic activity and informal trade networks more than 18 months after leader Kim Jong Un declared victory over the pandemic, Human Rights Watch has said. “The government’s persistent drive to control its …

South Korea to lift quarantine mandate and COVID test recommendation for travelers
1 year, 10 months ago

South Korea to lift quarantine mandate and COVID test recommendation for travelers

LA Times  

South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end coronavirus testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency. The decision was announced during a meeting attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, at which he thanked the country’s medical workers and said it was “delightful that people are …

South Korea to lift Covid test requirement for travellers from China
2 years ago

South Korea to lift Covid test requirement for travellers from China

Hindustan Times  

South Korea will not require travellers from China to test for COVID-19 after arrival starting next month, although they will still need to take pre-departure tests, a senior South Korean official said on Wednesday, in the country's latest relaxing of rules that were put in place after China's reopening. South Korea had imposed a number of border measures on passengers …

South Korea to resume issuing short-term visas for China travellers on Feb 11
2 years, 1 month ago

South Korea to resume issuing short-term visas for China travellers on Feb 11

India Today  

South Korea plans to resume issuing short-term visas for travellers from China on Saturday after China improved its Covid-19 situation, Seoul officials said on Friday. South Korea suspended issuing short-term visas to Chinese visitors last month after China abruptly ended its stringent "zero-Covid" policy, leading to a wave of infections. Kim Sung-ho, South Korea's vice interior minister in charge of …

Russian embassy says North Korea lifted lockdown in capital
2 years, 1 month ago

Russian embassy says North Korea lifted lockdown in capital

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — Russia’s embassy in North Korea says the country has eased stringent epidemic controls in capital Pyongyang that were placed during the past five days to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses. The embassy posted a notice Monday issued by North Korea’s Foreign Ministry informing foreign diplomats that the “intensified anti-epidemic period” imposed in Pyongyang since Wednesday …

North Korea lifts stringent epidemic lockdown in capital Pyongyang, says Russian embassy
2 years, 1 month ago

North Korea lifts stringent epidemic lockdown in capital Pyongyang, says Russian embassy

Firstpost  

Seoul, South Korea: Russia’s embassy in North Korea says the country has eased stringent epidemic controls in the capital Pyongyang that were placed during the past five days to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses. North Korea has not officially acknowledged a lockdown in Pyongyang or a re-emergence of COVID-19 after leader Kim Jong Un declared a widely disputed victory …

North Korea locks down capital city over ’respiratory illness’
2 years, 1 month ago

North Korea locks down capital city over ’respiratory illness’

Live Mint  

Authorities in the North Korean capital Pyongyang have ordered a five-day lockdown due to rising cases of an unspecified respiratory illness, Seoul-based NK News reported on Wednesday, citing a government notice. The notice did not mentioned COVID-19, but said that residents in the city are required to stay in their homes through the end of Sunday and must submit to …

North Korean capital Pyongyang reportedly under lockdown due to 'respiratory illness'
2 years, 1 month ago

North Korean capital Pyongyang reportedly under lockdown due to 'respiratory illness'

ABC  

Authorities in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang have ordered a five-day lockdown due to rising cases of an unspecified respiratory illness, Seoul-based NK News has reported, citing a government notice. Key points: Residents in Pyongyang will be required to stay in their homes until Sunday night North Korea acknowledged its first COVID-19 outbreak last year, and declared victory over …

China refuses to give COVID vaccines to North Korean refugees
2 years, 2 months ago

China refuses to give COVID vaccines to North Korean refugees

Live Mint  

China has refused to give the COVID vaccine to North Korean refugees, endangering their lives in the process, according to the US-based Radio Network Voice of America. Even after removing the COVID limitations, China continues to refuse to treat North Korean defectors. Since the COVID outbreak began, North Korean defectors in China have not gotten even a single dosage of …

South Korea seeks Chinese national missing from Covid quarantine
2 years, 2 months ago

South Korea seeks Chinese national missing from Covid quarantine

India Today  

South Korean authorities said on Wednesday they were trying to track down a Chinese national who tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival but went missing while waiting at a quarantine facility. The person tested positive after arriving at Incheon International Airport near Seoul late on Tuesday and was transferred to a hotel to await admission to quarantine, but then went …

Centre to review Covid situation as cases rise in China, Japan, South Korea and US
2 years, 3 months ago

Centre to review Covid situation as cases rise in China, Japan, South Korea and US

India TV News  

Centre to review Covid situation as cases rise in China, Japan, South Korea and US China Covid outbreak: In a letter to states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said such an exercise will enable timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country and will facilitate undertaking of requisite public health measures. China Covid Outbreak: Union …

‘Excessive’: North Korea’s COVID curbs blamed for food crisis
2 years, 4 months ago

‘Excessive’: North Korea’s COVID curbs blamed for food crisis

Al Jazeera  

Pyongyang has substantially ramped up border security since January 2020, according to satellite images. North Korean authorities have imposed “excessive and unnecessary” border measures since January 2020, including upgraded fences, guard posts and patrol roads, an analysis of satellite images by Human Rights Watch shows. HRW said it had spoken to five North Korean defectors involved in smuggling goods in …

China posts 6-month high in infections despite COVID strategy
2 years, 4 months ago

China posts 6-month high in infections despite COVID strategy

Al Jazeera  

The world’s most populous country has pledged to stick to its hardline zero-COVID policy despite growing public frustration with it and its toll on the economy. China recorded 4,420 new locally transmitted COVID-19 infections on Saturday, the National Health Commission said, the most since May 6 and up from 3,659 new local cases a day earlier. “We should adhere to …

South Korea to scrap COVID tests for arrivals in boost for travel
2 years, 6 months ago

South Korea to scrap COVID tests for arrivals in boost for travel

Al Jazeera  

Travellers to the country will no longer be required to present a negative coronavirus test result starting on Saturday. South Korea will scrap predeparture COVID-19 tests for arrivals, lifting some of the last pandemic-related border controls in a boost to the country’s beleaguered travel industry. Travellers to the country will no longer be required to present a negative coronavirus test …

North Korea says new fever cases were flu, not COVID-19
2 years, 6 months ago

North Korea says new fever cases were flu, not COVID-19

India TV News  

North Korea on Friday said the latest fever cases detected in its border region with China were tested to be influenza, not coronavirus infections as initially feared. While Kim claimed that the country's success against the virus would be recognized as a global health miracle, experts believe North Korea has manipulated disclosures on its outbreak to help him maintain absolute …

After declaring victory over the coronavirus, North Korea finds new suspected cases
2 years, 6 months ago

After declaring victory over the coronavirus, North Korea finds new suspected cases

LA Times  

Residents of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, pay tribute to statues of two of the country’s late leaders Thursday. North Korea on Thursday said it found four new cases of fever in its border region with China that may have been caused by the coronavirus, two weeks after leader Kim Jong Un declared a widely questioned victory over COVID-19. North …

N Korea logs new fever cases weeks after COVID victory claim
2 years, 6 months ago

N Korea logs new fever cases weeks after COVID victory claim

Al Jazeera  

Authorities report four new fever cases in border region two weeks after Kim Jong Un declared victory over COVID-19. North Korea says it has found four new fever cases in its border region with China that may have been caused by coronavirus, two weeks after Kim Jong Un declared victory over COVID-19. North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency said …

North Korea claims disputed victory over virus, blames Seoul
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea claims disputed victory over virus, blames Seoul

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — In a striking speech before thousands of North Koreans, leader Kim Jong Un’s sister said he suffered a fever while guiding the country to victory over the coronavirus. South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, expressed strong regret over North Korea’s “extremely disrespectful and threatening comments” based on “ridiculous claims.” A senior South Korean presidential …

North Korea declares victory over Covid, suggests leader Kim had it
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea declares victory over Covid, suggests leader Kim had it

India Today  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared victory over COVID-19 and his sister indicated that he too caught the virus, while vowing "deadly retaliation" against South Korea, which the North blames for causing the outbreak. Kim ordered the lifting of maximum anti-epidemic measures imposed in May though adding that North Korea must maintain a "steel-strong anti-epidemic barrier and intensifying …

Kim Jong Un claims ‘victory’ over COVID, blames South Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

Kim Jong Un claims ‘victory’ over COVID, blames South Korea

Al Jazeera  

North Korean leader lifts pandemic restrictions as senior official says death toll of 74 an ‘unprecedented miracle’ in world health. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared “victory” in his country’s battle against COVID-19 and ordered pandemic restrictions, imposed in May, to be lifted. Easley added that Kim Yo Jong’s bellicose rhetoric was a concern “because not only will …

North Korea reports no new ‘fever’ cases for first time since May
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea reports no new ‘fever’ cases for first time since May

Al Jazeera  

The official case count has dropped sharply in recent days and Pyongyang has held mass events where many people were unmasked. North Korea has reported no new “fever” cases for the first time since mid-May when it abruptly announced its first domestic outbreak of COVID-19, and imposed tough measures to curb the spread of the virus. The North’s state emergency …

Kim threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, S. Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

Kim threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, S. Korea

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against rivals he says are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war. “Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished …

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un threatens to use nukes amid tension with U.S., South Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un threatens to use nukes amid tension with U.S., South Korea

The Hindu  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against rivals he says are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war. Mr. Kim said regular U. S.-South Korea military drills that he claimed …

'Ready to use nuclear weapons': Kim Jong Un's chilling warning amid tensions with US, South Korea
2 years, 7 months ago

'Ready to use nuclear weapons': Kim Jong Un's chilling warning amid tensions with US, South Korea

India TV News  

Highlights North Korea's Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use nuclear weapons in conflicts with US, S. Korea He accused the United States of “demonizing” North Korea to justify its hostile policies Kim also alleged South Korean government is led by “confrontation maniacs” and “gangsters” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons …

North Korea pushes traditional medicine to fight COVID-19
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea pushes traditional medicine to fight COVID-19

Associated Press  

PAJU, South Korea — As a medical student in North Korea, Lee Gwang-jin said he treated his fevers and other minor ailments with traditional herbal medicine. “North Korea is using Koryo medicine a lot … but it’s not a sure remedy,” said Lee, who studied Koryo medicine before he fled North Korea in 2018 for a new life in South …

North Korea pushes traditional medicine to fight COVID-19
2 years, 7 months ago

North Korea pushes traditional medicine to fight COVID-19

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “North Korea is using Koryo medicine a lot …

North Korea says nearing end of COVID crisis
2 years, 8 months ago

North Korea says nearing end of COVID crisis

Al Jazeera  

The isolated country’s claim comes as Asian neighbours are battling a new wave of infections driven by Omicron subvariants. North Korea is on the path to “finally defuse” a crisis stemming from its first acknowledged outbreak of COVID-19, the state news agency said on Monday, while Asian neighbours battle a new wave of infections driven by Omicron subvariants. “Under the …

N. Korea suggests balloons flown from South brought COVID-19
2 years, 8 months ago

N. Korea suggests balloons flown from South brought COVID-19

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea suggested Friday its COVID-19 outbreak began in people who had contact with balloons flown from South Korea — a highly questionable claim that appeared to be an attempt to hold its rival responsible amid increasing tensions over its nuclear program. South Korea’s Unification Ministry said there was no chance South Korean balloons might have …

North Korea blames 'alien things' near South Korea border for Covid outbreak
2 years, 8 months ago

North Korea blames 'alien things' near South Korea border for Covid outbreak

India Today  

North Korea claimed on Friday the country's first Covid outbreak began with patients touching "alien things" near the border with South Korea, apparently shifting blame to the neighbour for the wave of infections that hit the isolated country. North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea had for decades flown balloons carrying leaflets and humanitarian aid across the heavily fortified …

South Korea approves first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine
2 years, 8 months ago

South Korea approves first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine

LA Times  

South Korean Minister of Food and Drug Safety Oh Yu-kyoung speaks at a news briefing in the city of Cheongju on Wednesday. Health officials in South Korea on Wednesday approved the country’s first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 years or older, adding another tool in the fight against the pandemic. In clinical trials involving some 4,000 participants in …

North Korea may declare victory over Covid just a month after detecting outbreak
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea may declare victory over Covid just a month after detecting outbreak

India Today  

It’s only been a month since North Korea acknowledged having an COVID-19 outbreak, after steadfastly denying any cases for more than two years. The South Korean government as well as some experts believe that North Korea may soon declare that it has beaten the virus, linked, of course, to leader Kim Jong Un’s strong and clever guidance. DAILY FEVER CASES …

North Korea reports another infectious disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea reports another infectious disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave

Firstpost  

Some observers say the ‘an enteric epidemic’ refers to an infectious disease like typhoid, dysentery or cholera, which routinely occur in North Korea Seoul, South Korea: North Korea on Thursday reported the eruption of another infectious disease in addition to its ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, saying leader Kim Jong Un has donated his private medicines to those stricken with the new …

N. Korea reports another disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave
2 years, 9 months ago

N. Korea reports another disease outbreak amid COVID-19 wave

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It’s unclear how serious the new epidemic is, but …

North Korea reports another disease outbreak amid COVID wave
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea reports another disease outbreak amid COVID wave

India TV News  

Highlights North Korea on June 16 reported the eruption of another infectious disease It is in addition to its ongoing COVID pandemic outbreak Kim Jong Un has donated his private medicines to those stricken with the new disease North Korea on Thursday reported the eruption of another infectious disease in addition to its ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, saying leader Kim Jong …

N Korea says fighting unnamed gastrointestinal disease outbreak
2 years, 9 months ago

N Korea says fighting unnamed gastrointestinal disease outbreak

Al Jazeera  

Outbreak in an agricultural area comes as impoverished country battles COVID-19 and food shortages. North Korea has reported an outbreak of an unidentified gastrointestinal disease in the country’s southwest as it continues to battle a wave of COVID-19 that has further strained its already creaky health system. South Korean experts say waterborne diseases, such as typhoid, were already widespread in …

WHO: COVID cases and deaths falling nearly everywhere
2 years, 9 months ago

WHO: COVID cases and deaths falling nearly everywhere

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally fell everywhere last week except the Middle East and Southeast Asia, according to the World Health Organization. In its latest weekly update on the pandemic, the U.N. health agency said Wednesday that confirmed cases dropped 12% to more than 3 million and reported deaths declined 22% to about …

WHO believes COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea
2 years, 9 months ago

WHO believes COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea

Associated Press  

LONDON — A top official at the World Health Organization said the U.N. health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is “getting worse, not better,” despite the secretive country’s recent claims that COVID-19 is slowing there. At a briefing on Wednesday, WHO’s emergencies chief Dr. Mike Ryan appealed to North Korean authorities for more information about the COVID-19 …

Covid "getting worse, not better" in North Korea: WHO
2 years, 9 months ago

Covid "getting worse, not better" in North Korea: WHO

India Today  

A top official at the World Health Organization said the UN health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is “getting worse, not better,” despite the secretive country’s recent claims that COVID-19 is slowing there. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO’s emergencies chief Dr. Mike Ryan appealed to North Korean authorities for more information about the Covid-19 outbreak …

COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea: World Health Organization
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID getting worse, not better in North Korea: World Health Organization

India TV News  

Highlights WHO said UN health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is “getting worse" WHO’s emergencies chief appealed to North Korean authorities for more information about COVID cases WHO has previously also voiced concerns about impact of COVID in North Korea’s population Coronavirus outbreak in North Korea : A top official at the World Health Organization said the …

COVID amid food insecurity: A perfect storm is brewing in N Korea
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID amid food insecurity: A perfect storm is brewing in N Korea

Al Jazeera  

Widespread malnutrition and the absence of a stable health system are exacerbating the impact of COVID-19 in the country. On May 12, North Korea reported the country’s first COVID outbreak, a significant public admission after two and a half years of stringent lockdowns and border closures. Omicron, the variant behind North Korea’s outbreak, is estimated to be asymptomatic in close …

N Korea logs rise in fever cases amid move to soften COVID curbs
2 years, 9 months ago

N Korea logs rise in fever cases amid move to soften COVID curbs

Al Jazeera  

Daily fever tally rises above 100,000 for first time in three days amid reports that movement restrictions in Pyongyang may have been eased. North Korea reported a slight jump in suspected COVID-19 cases on Monday amid media reports that movement restrictions imposed in the capital, Pyongyang, may have been lifted. The tally is the first time that North Korea’s suspected …

N. Korea moves to soften curbs amid doubts over COVID counts
2 years, 9 months ago

N. Korea moves to soften curbs amid doubts over COVID counts

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials discussed revising stringent anti-epidemic restrictions during a meeting Sunday, state media reported, as they maintained a widely disputed claim that the country’s first COVID-19 outbreak is slowing. But many outside health experts view most of the reported fever cases as COVID-19, saying North Korean authorities would …

North Korea moves to soften restrictions amid outside doubts over COVID-19 counts
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea moves to soften restrictions amid outside doubts over COVID-19 counts

ABC  

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials discussed revising stringent anti-epidemic restrictions during a meeting on Sunday, state media reported, as they maintained a widely disputed claim that the country's first COVID-19 outbreak is slowing. Key points: North Korea reported 89,500 patients had fever symptoms on Sunday, taking the national total to 3.4 million The country's reported …

North Korea's tiny COVID-19 death rate met with widespread doubt
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea's tiny COVID-19 death rate met with widespread doubt

Firstpost  

Some observers say North Korea is underreporting fatalities to protect leader Kim Jong Un at all costs. “Scientifically, their figures can’t be accepted,” said Lee Yo Han, a professor at Ajou University Graduate School of Public Health in South Korea, adding that the public data “were likely all controlled and embedded with their political intentions.” The most likely course is …

Widespread disbelief over N. Korea’s tiny COVID death rate
2 years, 9 months ago

Widespread disbelief over N. Korea’s tiny COVID death rate

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — According to North Korea, its fight against COVID-19 has been impressive: About 3.3 million people have been reported sick with fevers, but only 69 have died. “Scientifically, their figures can’t be accepted,” said Lee Yo Han, a professor at Ajou University Graduate School of Public Health in South Korea, adding that the public data “were likely …

North Korea announces a tiny COVID-19 death rate, and experts scoff
2 years, 9 months ago

North Korea announces a tiny COVID-19 death rate, and experts scoff

LA Times  

A teacher takes the temperature of a schoolgirl in Pyongyang, North Korea, in an effort to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. “Scientifically, their figures can’t be accepted,” said Lee Yo-han, a professor at Ajou University Graduate School of Public Health in South Korea, adding that the public data “were likely all controlled and embedded with their political intentions.” …

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