WHO:’Hundreds In Quarantine In North Korea’

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – The World Health Organization said Tuesday it had received assurances from North Korea that it continues testing for the new coronavirus and has more than 500 people in quarantine. The leadership of North Korea, one of the world’s most repressive states, has so far claimed there are no confirmed cases of the virus, known as COVID-19.

“As of April 2, 709 people – 11 foreigners and 698 nationals – have been tested for COVID-19,” said Dr. Edwin Salvador, the WHO Representative to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). He made the comments in an email reply published by Reuters news agency. “There is no report of a COVID-19 case. There are 509 people in quarantine – two foreigners and 507 nationals,” Dr. Salvador added.

Foreign experts have expressed doubts that North Korea, sharing borders with hard-hit China and South Korea, has not detected any infections. The country is cited by rights activists for its crackdown on dissent and imprisoning thousands of Christians and other perceived enemies of the state in harsh labor camps.

Despite tensions over its human rights record and nuclear arms program, there are U.N. calls for lifting international sanctions against North Korea
to ensure that food supplies reach its hungry population during the pandemic.

The WHO announced in February that North Korea had reported checking nearly 7,300 travelers over six weeks to February 9. The Geneva-based agency quoted North Korea’s health ministry as saying 141 travelers with fevers had tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

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