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Kim Jong Un reports 232,880 new cases in 24 hours
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- / dpa
In view of the apparently massive spread of the corona virus in North Korea, according to the state media, ruler Kim Jong Un has criticized the authorities' reaction as inadequate.
He accused the officials in the isolated country of inadequacies and indolence, as reported by the official news agency KCNA.
At a meeting of the Politburo of the ruling Workers' Party, he criticized that the "immaturity of the state's capacity to deal with the crisis" had exacerbated the "complexity and difficulties" in combating the pandemic.
Just under a week after the first official confirmation of a corona outbreak in North Korea, the suspected number of cases is skyrocketing.
KCNA on Wednesday reported 232,880 new cases of the fever and six other deaths in a 24-hour period.
In total, the authorities now count 1.72 million patients with fever symptoms and 62 deaths.
Sub-variant of the omicron pathogen discovered
However, there is no official confirmation as to whether the sick are infected with the corona virus, partly because the country has very little testing capacity.
North Korea confirmed the corona outbreak last Thursday and declared a state of emergency.
A sub-variant of the highly contagious omicron pathogen was discovered in the capital Pyongyang.
Kim then ordered a nationwide lockdown.
The country, which is almost completely isolated internationally, has not yet accepted offers of help from abroad.
According to KCNA, the state leadership is asking the authorities to improve the transport and testing of samples from fever patients and to create additional quarantine facilities.
In addition, efforts would be stepped up to develop and produce drugs "that are effective in treating the malignant viral infection" and also to improve diagnostic and treatment methods.
Kim has already mobilized the military to stabilize drug supplies and assist authorities in testing and treating patients.
(Read how nervousness is growing in the country here).
The United Nations Human Rights Office recently warned that government measures to combat corona could have devastating consequences for the population in the impoverished country: the restrictions could make it difficult for people to get the essentials.
bam/Reuters
