{"id":4512,"date":"2020-03-30T10:07:57","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T01:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4512"},"modified":"2022-05-16T18:01:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T09:01:10","slug":"coronavirus-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2020\/03\/recommendations\/coronavirus-rumors\/","title":{"rendered":"\uff1cInside N. Korea\uff1e Kimchi Immunity?: Residents Latch onto Coronavirus Rumors as Understaffed Hospitals Start Screening Patients Over the Phone"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Women running stalls at a public market where, by rule, vendors must wear a sanitary cap. Infrastructure in the capital and other areas is poor but the concept of hygiene is gradually taking hold. Photographed in Ryanggang Province in June 2013 by ASIAPRESS<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 A firsthand look at the hospitals<\/h2>\n

As of March 22, the North Korean government has continued to announce that there are no coronavirus infections within the country. Meanwhile, rumors swirl among the populace of numerous infections and deaths.<\/p>\n

Neither the rumors nor the word of the government can be confirmed as the truth. However, a survey by ASIAPRESS finds that, despite the poor condition of North Korea\u2019s medical system, the regime is rolling out sensible prevention measures and imposing quarantines where needed.<\/p>\n

\u25c6 Physical examinations conducted over the phone to screen a rising number of residents with symptoms<\/h2>\n

A reporting partner from Ryanggang Province visited a clinic in the heart of Hyesan City to investigate the matter. The clinic has 3 full-time staff members, including its director. In addition, 3 medical students and an official from the provincial quarantine office are said to be providing support.<\/p>\n

According to the reporting partner, \u201cPatients are supposed to list their symptoms over the phone before coming to the hospital. If the patient describes symptoms of tuberculosis or a cold such as coughing or a fever, the doctor will instruct them to stay away from the hospital and prescribe fever reducers or cold medicine over the phone. The patient is then supposed to go to a pharmacy to buy the medicine. The only patients currently admitted to hospitals are those who need surgery and those with fractures, etc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following the investigation conducted by the reporting partner in Hyesan and similar investigations of hospitals and clinics by reporting partners in other areas, one can summarize the regime\u2019s COVID-19 response measures thusly:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Those with cold-like symptoms should contact the quarantine center first.
\n\u2022 Those who do so are instructed to fill out a registration card, recording their address, place of work, and recent activities.
\n\u2022 Extra care is to be taken when examining patients who work for trading companies or live near the Yalu River by the Chinese border.
\n\u2022 Doctors examining patients with tuberculosis or cold-like symptoms should keep a distance of 2 meters or more.
\n\u2022 Countermeasures and response action will be reported daily to the city hospital, which is to act as a base of response operations.<\/p>\n

\u25c6 Warning to the Chinese across the border: \u201cThose seen dumping into the river will be shot\u201d<\/p>\n

It can be said that the regime\u2019s countermeasures are a reasonable response for preventing infection of medical officials and for tracking the movement of people with symptoms. This system was not put into place, however, until late February.<\/p>\n

Doctors have been warned to be wary of patients residing near the Yalu River due to the regime\u2019s vigilance against the virus being transmitted from across the Chinese border. North Korean authorities have banned residents from washing their clothes or collecting water from the banks of the Yalu River since around February 7. Border guards have also been banned from using river water, so soldiers are said to be collecting water from private homes nearby.<\/p>\n

In late February, North Korean authorities at the border informed Chinese counterparts that they would fire without warning upon Chinese citizens seen smuggling goods or dumping refuse at the Yalu River.<\/p>\n

In addition, the regime has been sticking to propagandistic claims of \u201czero infections.\u201d According to reporting partners, the claims are meant to create an impression among residents that \u201cthere are not yet any infected persons in Ryanggang Province.\u201d<\/p>\n

Next page :No COVID-19 infection tests conducted in the provinces...<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Map of North Korea (produced by ASIAPRESS)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 No COVID-19 infection tests conducted in the provinces<\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, rumors of infections are being reported from North Hamkyung Province, near the Tumen River border with China.<\/p>\n

In Rason, a city with frequent Chinese visitors due to active trade links, a person displaying symptoms was put into quarantine in February. A rumor has since spread, though, that a merchant who had been in contact with the quarantined man later spread the disease to the nearby city of Chongjin.<\/p>\n

According to a reporting partner, \u201cAmong that merchant\u2019s acquaintances in Chongjin, there have been several people who have died after experiencing coughing and high fevers. The hospital, however, was unable to diagnose the coronavirus and therefore attributed their deaths to tuberculosis.\u201d<\/p>\n

ASIAPRESS reporting partners in North Korea contacted hospital and quarantine office officials in Hyesan City, Hoeryong City, and Musan County in North Hamkyung Province, among other locations. However, as of March 22, there was no news on coronavirus testing.<\/p>\n

Russia\u2019s Foreign Ministry announced on February 26 that it had donated 1,500 coronavirus test kits at the request of North Korea. Though it has not been disclosed, it is highly likely that China has also sent test kits.<\/p>\n

The few test kits that North Korea has will almost certainly be used to monitor the health of Pyongyang\u2019s elite and powerful. Next to be checked will be those in departments with many foreign contacts and, after that, the test kits will likely be used by the military. With this most likely being the case, it is no wonder that coronavirus tests have not been conducted in the hospitals of provincial cities.<\/p>\n

\u25c6 Rumors and superstitions spread... \u201cDoes garlic work?\u201d<\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, coronavirus prevention methods based on false rumors and superstitions have been spreading among residents.<\/p>\n

According to the aforementioned reporting partner from Hyesan City, \u201cMany people believe that eating garlic, red pepper paste, and kimchi can boost immunity to the coronavirus and have a preventative effect. Omija tea is also said to be good. Others say that you will not get infected if you brush your teeth with salt water every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rumors are also spreading that a new drug to treat the virus has been developed in China.<\/p>\n

The reporting partner continued, \u201cThere have been many fatalities in the US, Japan and South Korea but talk has spread that many countries are getting help from a new drug developed by China. This has led to a building sense of relief among residents.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is not known when a vaccine for the coronavirus will reach final production.<\/p>\n

The Kim Jong-un regime has been studying the spread of coronavirus in China and South Korea and learning from the countermeasures rolled out by each. It now finds itself imposing quarantines and dealing with the crisis in its own way, in spite of the unfavorable conditions. (Kang Ji-won\/ISHIMARU Jiro)<\/p>\n

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