The coronavirus crisis in Asia appears to be on a decline as China, South Korea, and Japan saw a slowdown in confirmed CoVID-19 cases over the past days. However, it seems things are different in North Korea and the Philippines.
Over 100 North Korean Soldiers Reportedly Dead
South Korean news group the Daily NK reported Monday that 180 North Korean soldiers passed away from the novel coronavirus in January and as of February, around 3,700 military men were placed under quarantine.
The North Korean government on Monday retained that the Wuhan coronavirus that continues to kill people around the world has not reached home turf yet.
According to the South Korean outlet, a medical-corps report leaked from the North Korean military revealed that the government is scrambling to prevent further spreading among its militia.
As part of the efforts to contain the CoVID-19 strain, the government reportedly said it will punish military unit leaders who fail to implement the strict disinfection and control measures recommended by the country's health authorities.
N.Korea Reportedly Quarantines Around 10,000 People
The Yonhap News agency also reported on Monday that around 10,000 people have been quarantined over fears that they contracted the novel virus.
Of the thousands of people reportedly quarantined, about 40 percent of them did not display any coronavirus symptoms but the government implemented the quarantines as a precautionary measure.
Yonhap is a news group backed by the South Korean government.
North Korea has yet to unveil official CoVID-19 figures. Pyongyang is known for its notoriously secretive ways, especially in times of global crises such as the coronavirus outbreak.
South Korea Raises Hopes for Rebound
South Korean health minister Park Neunghoo said on Monday that he is hoping the country "passed the peak" of its coronavirus battle.
In an exclusive interview with CNN, Park noted that the he is "cautiously expecting" South Korea is on the road to recovery in terms of passing the crisis, at least if the current situation in falling infection and death tolls is considered.
South Korea's CoVID-19 clusters made the country experience the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside China before Italy passed the numbers on Monday.
Park urged other governments to focus on early detections as a way of preventing further spreading. He said the country's coronavirus crisis encouraged Seoul to learn "simple lessons" in terms of handling contagious diseases.
Philippines Verifying Alleged Second Death
In the Philippines, there has been one death confirmed by the local health authority. However, the health department said on Tuesday that it is verifying a supposed second coronavirus fatality in the country.
Local news group ABS-CBN News reported that health secretary Francisco Duque received information about an American patient who succumbed to the fast-spreading virus before dawn Tuesday.
Duque clarified that he has yet to "validate" the unverified information forwarded to the department. The said foreign national was reported to have underlying health conditions.
So far, the country has 24 confirmed CoVID-19 patients. News of two dozen people in the country contracting the disease promoted a public health emergency declaration from President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday.
3 of 24 Philippine Cases in a Single City
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmontes revealed on Tuesday that three of the Philippines' 24 confirmed coronavirus cases were from the city.
The first case is a resident of Baler Street and the said patient's family members have been quarantined at home for monitoring. The second case is a resident of a Tomas Morato Avenue condo unit. Belmontes said the second CoVID-19 patient is "okay."
The third case, on the other hand, from the Project 6 area although the address of the said patient has yet to be verified.
The Philippines is now focused on tracing people who may have had direct contact with the said patients besides their loved ones or friends.
