North Korea says virus situation 'under control'

North Korea reported less than 200,000 new patients with fever symptoms for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, indicating a "stable" downward trend in its first confirmed COVID-19 outbreak.

The COVID wave, declared on May 12, has fueled fears in the country of 25 million about a lack of vaccines, inadequate medical infrastructure, and a potential food crisis.

North Korea has rejected offers of assistance in combating the COVID-19 outbreak.

North Korean officials have rejected offers of vaccines and assistance from other countries, raising fears of a COVID-19 disaster. The increase in cases is being attributed in part to a series of national celebrations in April that drew large unvaccinated crowds, likely spreading the virus.

According to the official KCNA news agency, at least 134,510 people had fever symptoms as of Monday evening, bringing the total number of such cases to 2.95 million since late April. The death toll was 68.