GENEVA/SEOUL — The World Health Organization said on Wednesday it had no indications the new coronavirus had spread to North Korea, after South Korean media suggested there were cases and deaths there that were being covered up by the Pyongyang authorities. An outbreak of the disease which has killed more than 2,000 people in neighbouring China could be devastating for the under-resourced health system in North Korea. Aid agencies have called for exceptions to be made to international trading sanctions to make it easier if needed to help Pyongyang fight the disease. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said that North Korea had reported making checks on nearly 7,300 travellers entering the country over a six-week period to Feb. 9. Citing the North Korean health ministry, he said 141 travellers with fevers had been tested for the virus and all had tested negative.

Source: International New York Times February 19, 2020 06:59 UTC