The number of cases of fever in the DPRK exceeded 2.2 million people

View of the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang. File photoMOSCOW/SEUL, May 20.The number of cases of fever in the DPRK exceeded 2.2 million, more than 263 thousand new patients were infected per day, two died, the Central Telegraph Agency of Korea (KCNA) reports. More than 262 thousand cases were registered in the DPRK a day earlier. The total number of deaths reached 65. As of May 19, about 1.5 million patients have recovered and about 750 thousand are being treated. Earlier, the DPRK for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic reported the discovery of coronavirus cases in the country. According to the CTC, since the end of April, an «unfamiliar fever» began to spread in the country. From a number of North Korean state media reports, it can be concluded that the coronavirus is spreading in the country, but exact data on what proportion of patients with fever are sick with COVID-19 is not given. On the instructions of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a lockdown has been introduced in all cities and counties in order to stop the spread of the virus and «eradicate the source of infection» as soon as possible. The authorities are trying to provide the regions with everything necessary and medicines using the military.Media: North Korea does not respond to Seoul's offer to help fight COVID-19The DPRK authorities are doing everything possible to increase the production of necessary medicines, masks and protective suits. The workers of the provincial, city and county people's committees are trying to arrange the supply of all necessary goods to the regions. At the moment, on a nationwide scale, about 8,000 different service units, consisting of 30,000 people, supply residents with basic necessities, according to the KCNA. Soldiers of the military medical detachments of the DPRK army are also participating in the supply of medicines. Not only healthcare workers, but also teachers and students of medical training institutions and even more than 2.4 thousand retired volunteers with experience in the field of healthcare are participating in the anti-epidemic fight. In the central hospitals, councils of doctors are organized who are on duty around the clock and remotely provide technical and medical assistance when patients with fever or abnormal symptoms are detected in non-peripheral regions.DPRK made no efforts to vaccinate against COVID-19, WHO said