North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has described the quickly growing Covid-19 outbreak as a “grave tragedy” for the country.

During an emergency meeting on Saturday, Kim urged for an all-out struggle to stop the virus from spreading.

It comes after the first verified cases were revealed on Thursday.

Specialists believe the virus has been circulating for some time.

There is concern that a large-scale breakout could have disastrous effects in North Korea.

Its 25 million people are susceptible due to a lack of vaccinations and a shoddy healthcare system.

In addition, official media stated on Saturday that half a million cases of unexplained fever had been reported in recent weeks.

It is because the country’s testing skills are poor.

The majority of Covid instances remain unconfirmed.

That figure was significantly higher than the figures released on Friday and Thursday, possibly indicating the scope of North Korea’s outbreak.

He blamed the situation on bureaucratic and medical incompetence.

Kim argued that countries like China could learn from their responses.

27 people died from a fever since April.

Apart from one fatality in Pyongyang, which was proven to be an Omicron case, the reports do not specify whether they tested positive for Covid.

Mr. Kim said, “The spread of the malignant epidemic is [the greatest] turmoil to fall on our country since the founding.”

The historic revelation put a stop to North Korea’s two-year claim to be free of Covid.

Last year, the clandestine country turned down Western proposals to supply millions of AstraZeneca and Chinese-made vaccines.

It claimed instead that it had taken control of Covid by sealing its borders in early January 2020.

Its land borders are shared with South Korea and China, both of which have seen outbreaks.

China is now battling an Omicron wave with lockdowns in its major cities.

Mr. Kim was shown on television for the first time wearing a face mask during a meeting discussing new Covid restrictions.

Furthermore, South Korea has said it offered humanitarian aid after Thursday’s announcement