North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has described the spread of the novel coronavirus as the greatest turmoil facing the country since it was founded, state-run media reported Saturday.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said an additional 21 people had died and around 174,400 had symptoms of fever on Friday, possibly because of the virus.
North Korea on Friday confirmed its first Covid-19 death since the pandemic began. Around 187,800 people are being quarantined and treated after the rapid spread of the fever since late April, according to KCNA.
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The country, which has been facing international economic sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, is believed to be vulnerable to infectious diseases due to shortages of food and medical supplies.
