WHO verifying N. Korea's COVID-19 data amid outbreak: report
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) is checking suspected COVID-19 data released by North Korea after the secretive country shared related information on its virus outbreak, the U.N. agency's report showed Wednesday.
The North reported to WHO over 1.62 million people with fever and 23 associated deaths between May 13 and 18, according to the organization's latest regional COVID-19 situation report.
The report, however, noted the North has not provided the case definitions for the figures and that the agency is "currently in the process of verifying COVID-19 data" from Pyongyang. It added that there was no information on COVID-19 vaccinations in the country.
It said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the organization's regional director of Southeast Asia, sent a letter to the North Korean ambassador in New Delhi on May 16 to propose support for the country in its fight against the virus.
On May 12, the North confirmed its first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 after claiming to be free of the virus for over two years.
Its state media has been reporting daily COVID-19 related data, with over 115,000 new fever cases recorded Tuesday, raising the total number of such cases since late April to over 3 million.

In this undated file photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on May 20, 2022, North Korean health care workers carry out disinfection work at the Pyongyang Central Zoo. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
TXT's new EP contains members' personal experiences of being tempted
-
Support for Ahn doubles after Na quits PPP leadership race: poll
-
TXT's new album sold 1.8 mln copies on 1st day, highest after BTS
-
Yoon's approval rating slips for 3rd week: poll
-
Opposition leader says he will appear again before prosecutors for questioning
-
(LEAD) Most people masked up on 1st day of lifting of mandate rules
-
Nat'l pension anticipated to be fully drained in 2055: NPS
-
S. Korea's gas, coal imports hit record high in 2022: data
-
Support for Ahn doubles after Na quits PPP leadership race: poll
-
(LEAD) Two Chinese warplanes entered KADIZ earlier this week: S. Korean military
-
S. Korea to test-launch new 'high-power' Hyunmoo ballistic missile this week: source
-
S. Korea submits proposal to Turkey on new nuclear power project
-
U.S., S. Korea agree to expand joint military drills, take strong steps against N. Korean provocations
-
China imposes mandatory virus tests for arrivals from S. Korea only in latest protest over curbs
-
S. Korea to demand clarification from top Asian sports body over Russia's Asian Games participation