SEOUL, South Korea North Korea has told the World Health Organization that it has tested 25,986 people for the coronavirus through April but still has yet to find a single infection.
The WHO said in a weekly monitoring report that North Korea’s testing figures include 751 people who were tested during April 23-29, of which 139 had influenza-like illnesses or severe respiratory infections.
Experts have expressed skepticism about North Korea’s claim of a perfect record in keeping out COVID-19, given its poor health infrastructure and a porous border it shares with China.
North Korea has described its anti-virus efforts as a “matter of national existence.” It has barred tourists, flown out diplomats and severely restricted cross-border traffic and trade.
The Latest: N Korea again claims no coronavirus infections
The Associated Press
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1of17In this Saturday, April 24, 2021, photo, a clothing shop clerk wearing a protective mask waits for customers at the Ramadan bazaar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced Monday that the whole country will be placed under a near lockdown for about a month but all economic sectors will be allowed to operate.Vincent Thian/APShow MoreShow Less
2of17Health workers and volunteers in personal protective suits wait to receive patients outside a COVID-19 hospital that was set up at a Sikh Gurdwara in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 10, 2021.Ishant Chauhan/APShow MoreShow Less
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People wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk on a pedestrian overhead bridge as they heading to work in Beijing, Monday, May 10, 2021.
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A technician prepares a Pfizer vaccine in the pharmacy area of the newly opened COVID-19 Vaccination Centre in Sydney, Australia, Monday, May 10, 2021.
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Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) cryogenic containers are unloaded from Indian naval vessel INS Trikand that arrived from Hamad Port, Qatar at Naval Dockyard In Mumbai, India, Monday, May 10, 2021. The consignment is part of the French mission Oxygen Solidarity Bridge to support India s fight against COVID-19 pandemic.