Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader, said that “a great tragedy” had struck his country following reports of 21 deaths from fevers among people.
According to KCNA, 280,810 people were being treated. 27 had died from a fever that was reported in the country in April.
It didn’t mention COVID-19.
North Korea announced one death from coronavirus on Thursday. The country’s leader then ordered a tight national lockdown.
KCNA reported that Mr Kim said the health crisis was caused by “incompetence” and “irresponsibility” of party organizations in their anti-epidemic response.
KCNA quoted Mr Kim as saying that efforts must be made to end the outbreak within the shortest time possible. He also added, “it’s a great chaos.”
The tentative admission of infected shows the potential for major crisis in a country which has refused international assistance with vaccination and closed its borders.
Because of the poor health system in the country, and 26 million people who are not vaccinated, this outbreak could have grave consequences.