The rate at which North Korean health authorities tested COVID-19 samples skyrocketed more than tenfold in February, World Health Organization (WHO) data shows, in a marked deviation from previous testing patterns that one expert said may be related to celebrations for Kim Jong Il’s birthday.
The DPRK tested a whopping 15,506 samples from Feb. 11-17, according to statistics that it provided to the WHO, increasing from an average of around 1,400 samples during previous weeks this year. The high volume of testing reportedly continued the following week on another 15,522 samples, strongly indicating that the previous week’s figure was not a data entry mistake.
The rate at which North Korean health authorities tested COVID-19 samples skyrocketed more than tenfold in February, World Health Organization (WHO) data shows, in a marked deviation from previous testing patterns that one expert said may be related to celebrations for Kim Jong Il’s birthday.
The DPRK tested a whopping 15,506 samples from Feb. 11-17, according to statistics that it provided to the WHO, increasing from an average of around 1,400 samples during previous weeks this year. The high volume of testing reportedly continued the following week on another 15,522 samples, strongly indicating that the previous week’s figure was not a data entry mistake.
Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.
-
Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations,
analysis
-
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in
the loop
-
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
-
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting,
investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe
now
All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.
SHARE
COPY LINK
X
MASTODON
