• Kim Jong Un declares "shining victory" over COVID-19

    International
    Kim Jong Un declares "shining victory" over COVID-19
    In case of reports, North Korea uses the term "fever patients" rather than "COVID patients," ostensibly due to a lack of testing capacity.

    Digital Desk: Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, announced a "shining victory" over COVID-19 on Wednesday after the government stopped reporting new cases of the virus for almost two weeks.

    Kim declared a "success... in the combat against the malignant pandemic disease" while in charge of a conference with medical professionals and scientists, according to the official news agency KCNA.

    The secluded nation, which has enforced a strict coronavirus ban ever since the pandemic began, declared an Omicron outbreak in its capital, Pyongyang, in May and turned on a "maximum emergency epidemic prevention system."

    In case of reports, North Korea uses the term "fever patients" rather than "COVID patients," ostensibly due to a lack of testing capacity.

    Pyongyang has reported no new cases of the virus since July 29.

    According to KCNA, Kim reportedly added, "The victory achieved by our people is a historic event that once again showed the world the greatness of our state, the unflappable tenacity of our people, and the lovely national customs we are proud of" according to KCNA.

    "The participants raised thundering cheers of "Hurrah!" repeatedly at the conclusion of Kim's address, remembering in tears the great feats and dedicated service for the people he has done to bring about a brilliant victory to be carved in history," according to the report.

    Senior officials and attendees participated in a photo shoot with Kim, which left them "full of enormous enthusiasm and delight."

    According to KCNA, North Korea has reported roughly 4.8 million cases since late April, but just 74 have resulted in fatalities, for an official fatality rate of 0.002 percent.

    According to experts, the nation has one of the worst healthcare systems in the world, with hospitals that are ill-equipped, lacking intensive care units, and lacking COVID-19 therapy medications or immunizations.

    In comparison, South Korea, which boasts sophisticated healthcare institutions and a population that is fully immunized, has a reported COVID fatality rate of 0.12%.