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North Korea reports first positive Coronavirus case since start of the pandemic
The France24 reported, citing the AFP, North Korea state media said Thursday (May 12) that the country has confirmed its first-ever case of Covid-19 and declared a "severe national emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to "eliminate" the virus.
The impoverished, nuclear-armed country has never admitted to a case of Covid-19, with the government imposing a rigid coronavirus blockade of its borders since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
The official Korean Central News Agency reported that samples taken from patients sick with fever in the capital were "consistent with" the virus' highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Top officials, including leader Kim Jong Un, held a crisis politburo meeting to discuss the outbreak and announced they would implement a "maximum emergency" virus control system.
According to KCNA, Kim told the meeting that "the goal was to eliminate the root within the shortest period of time."
It said: "He assured us that because of the people's high political awareness... we will surely overcome the emergency and win the emergency quarantine project."
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Kim called for tighter border controls and lockdown measures, telling citizens "to completely block the spread of the malicious virus by thoroughly blocking their areas in all cities and counties across the country".
KCNA added that all business and production activities will be organised so each work unit is "isolated" to prevent the spread of disease.
Source: france24
