North Korea logs 269,510 suspected Covid cases, 6 deaths; military ramps up supply of medicine

Seoul: North Korea on Tuesday reported over 269,510 cases of suspected Covid-19 and six deaths.

According to the information of the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters, over 269,510 people showed symptoms of fever and six deaths were reported as of 6 pm Monday, raising the total number of fatalities to 56 amid the epidemic, Yonhap cited the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as reporting.

Kim Jong Un has also mobilised the military to respond to the country's "major national emergency".

"On the special orders of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Military Commission, the military medical field of the People's Army urgently deployed its powerful forces to all pharmacies in Pyongyang City and began to supply medicines under the 24-hour service system," the KCNA said.

Though all cities in the impoverished nation was put under lockdown since May 12, the total number of fever cases stood at over 1.48 million as of Monday, of which more than 819,090 had fully recovered and at least 663,910 were being treated, Yonhap citing reports.

North Korea had reported Covid cases for the first time last week. (UNI)