Over 350,000 individuals were afflicted with a fever that spread "explosively" in North Korea, which a day earlier had reported its first incidence of COVID-19 since the epidemic began. At least six deaths were verified on Friday.

CNN reported, citing state media, that North Korea announced an "explosive" COVID-19 outbreak that had killed six individuals and sickened more than 350,000.

After reporting its first incidence of COVID-19 Omicron variant on Thursday, the government declared a "major national emergency." It implemented a "maximum emergency" viral control system, with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to "eliminate" the virus.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), top officials, including the country's leader Kim Jong Un, attended a crisis politburo meeting to discuss the outbreak and announced that a "maximum emergency" virus control mechanism would be implemented.

According to NK News, sections of Pyongyang were sealed off for two days.

According to sources in Pyongyang cited by NK News, there have been allegations of panic buying due to uncertainties regarding the conclusion of the lockdown.

According to the Yonhap News Agency, the assertion that North Korea is free of coronavirus has been disproved.

During a conference reportedly held to examine North Korea's "most critical emergency" antiviral system, which had been "firmly maintained" for more than two years, Kim vowed to overcome the "unexpected crisis" Moreover, he urged all the officials to block any opportunity to limit the virus's spread.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the North Korean leader also ordered increased vigilance at the borders on all fronts, the air, and the sea to prevent a "safety vacuum" in the country's national defense. In addition, North Korean authorities reported that samples taken from febrile patients suggested that they were identical to the omicron variant.

However, North Korea maintained that it has attempted to control and halt the virus's spread. It has also stated that it will provide therapy to omicron-detected patients to "root out the source of transmission in the shortest period possible," according to the country's media.