North Korea said on Sunday that a total of 42 people had died as the country began its fourth day under a nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the first confirmed Covid-19 outbreak.

North Korea’s admission on Thursday that it is tackling an “explosive” Covid-19 outbreak has raised concerns that the virus could devastate a country with an under-resourced healthcare system, limited testing facilities and a vaccine program.

state news agency KKNA He said the country had taken “rapid emergency measures” to contain the outbreak, but there was no sign that Pyongyang was taking action to accept international vaccine offers.

Since the morning of May 12, all provinces, provinces and districts in the country have been completely closed, business units, production units and settlements have been isolated, and a meticulous and intense examination of all the people is being carried out. KKNA this market.

The day before, North Korean leader Kim jong FameHe said the spread of Covid-19 had caused “major turmoil” in the country and declared an all-out war to overcome the epidemic.