North Korean authorities are working hard to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) into the country, but Daily NK sources speculate that COVID-19 infections have already appeared deep inside North Korea.<\/p>\n
Most COVID-19 infection cases have reportedly occurred in areas near the Sino-North Korean border, such as Sinuiju and the Rason Special Economic Zone, although several have cropped up in the country’s capital of Pyongyang as well.<\/p>\n
Some infection cases, however, have reportedly occurred in Haeju, South Hwanghae Province, which is some 300 kilometers away from the Sino-North Korean border.<\/p>\n
Daily NK reported yesterday that sources had confirmed that two people had died in the city after suffering from symptoms similar to those associated with COVID-19. Seven other people in the city have also reportedly been placed into quarantine.<\/p>\n
“The Haeju outbreak started from a travelling wholesaler with a container truck,” a North Korean source told Daily NK on Feb. 28. “The local authorities believe that the spread of the virus started from his house.”<\/p>\n
The authorities believe that the man, who runs a wholesale business in Haeju selling home electronics, foodstuffs, and cosmetics, had recently visited the Sino-North Korean border region and became infected with the virus.<\/p>\n
“The authorities have confirmed that the wholesaler traveled to Sinuiju before the country went into lock down,” the source said. “He may have become infected in the city.”<\/p>\n
Sinuiju is located right across the Yalu River from the Chinese city of Dandong, which has thus far confirmed seven cases of COVID-19 infections. The city also accepted large numbers of Chinese tourists up until the shutdown of the Sino-North Korean border in late January.<\/p>\n
Daily NK has reported that Sinuiju has largely failed in its disease control efforts and has speculated that a COVID-19 outbreak may have already occurred.<\/p>\n
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