Last week, North Korea admitted for the first time that it was battling an outbreak of “explosive” Covid-19. In this file photo, employees are seen spraying disinfectant as part of precautions against the virus at Yokjon Department Store in Pyongyang on October 20, 2021.
Kim Won Jin | AFP | beautiful pictures
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed an emergency meeting of the politburo and ordered the use of the military to stabilize drug supplies in Pyongyang as the country faces a Covid-19 outbreak. 19 were first confirmed, state media reported on Monday.
North Korea first acknowledged last week that it was battling an “explosive” Covid-19 outbreak, with experts raising concerns that the virus could devastate a country with limited supplies. limited medical coverage and no vaccine program.
State news agency KCNA reported that at an emergency meeting of the Politburo held on Sunday, Kim criticized the “irresponsible” working attitude and ability of the Cabinet and public health sector.
The government ordered the distribution of the national drug stockpile, but Kim said state-procedure drugs did not reach people in a timely and accurate manner through pharmacies, the report said.
Kim ordered the deployment of a “strong force” of the medical corps to “immediately stabilize the drug supply in the city of Pyongyang.”
KCNA also reported that Kim visited pharmacies located near the Taedong River in Pyongyang to learn about the supply and sale of drugs.
Kim said pharmacies are not well equipped to carry out their functions smoothly, do not have proper medicine storage areas other than display counters and sales staff are not equipped with protective clothing. suitable birth.
North Korea says “a large proportion” of the deaths so far are due to the people’s “carelessness in taking medicines due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of the stealthy Omicron variant virus infection and its methods.” correct treatment.”
KCNA said the country had an additional 392,920 people with fever symptoms, with eight new deaths.
It did not report how many suspected cases had tested positive for Covid-19.
