Iran Press/ Asia: About 187,800 people are being treated in isolation after a fever of unidentified origin has "explosively spread nationwide" since late April, the official KCNA news agency reported.
Roughly 350,000 people have shown signs of that fever, including 18,000 who newly reported such symptoms on Thursday.
About 162,200 have been treated, but it did not specify how many had tested positive for COVID-19.
At least six people who showed fever symptoms died, with one of those cases confirmed to have contracted the Omicron variant of the virus.
On Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the anti-venture to check the situation and responses after declaring a "gravest state of emergency" and ordering a national lockdown on Thursday.
North Korea has said the outbreak began in the capital of Pyongyang in April.
State media did not elaborate on the cause of the outbreak. Still, the city hosted several massive public events on April 15 and 25, including a military parade and large gatherings where most people did not wear masks.
The virus's rapid spread highlights the potential for a significant crisis in a country lacking medical resources, refusing international help with vaccinations, and keeping its borders shut.
At his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Kwon Young-se, South Korea's new nominee to be the unification minister responsible for inter-Korean ties, said that he was willing to push for humanitarian assistance for the North, including Covid-19 treatment, syringes, and other medical supplies.
A US State Department spokesperson said it had no plans to send vaccines to North Korea but supported international efforts to provide aid to vulnerable people there, urging Pyongyang to facilitate that work.
205
Read More:
N.Korea orders 'gravest emergency' lockdown for COVID outbreak
