The announcement comes a day after the country reported its first ever coronavirus case , calling the situation a "major national emergency." On Thursday, North Korea reported 18,000 new "fever cases" and six deaths, one of which tested positive for the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron, state media KCNA reported on Friday. North Korea has not confirmed that all "fever" cases and deaths are Covid-19, likely due to its limited testing capability. As China battles its own outbreak , the Chinese National Immigration Administration urged Jilin Province -- which borders North Korea -- to strengthen health inspections at its customs after North Korea reported its first Covid-19 case. A spokesperson for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said Covax has moved to "needs-based vaccine allocations" and "has currently not committed any volume" for North Korea.

Source: CNN May 13, 2022 04:54 UTC