North Korea develops its own PCR equipment for COVID-19 tests: Reports

The secluded country has not verified any Covid-19 cases but has closed borders, limited travel, and implemented stringent preventive measures, viewing the pandemic as a matter of national existence. According to state media on Monday, North Korea has created its own Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment for coronavirus testing as the nation ramps up attempts to ward against more infectious new strains of the virus.

Scientists and technicians at the State Academy of Sciences have created a PCR system that satisfies worldwide standards for the first time as part of anti-virus efforts, according to the Rodong Sinmun, the governing Workers' Party's newspaper. The equipment was shown as one of the most recent successes of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's effort to localise machinery, tools, and supplies in the face of international sanctions and border restrictions that severely limited commerce.

North Korea has run PCR tests as an internationally recognised standard Covid-19 diagnostic method but received outside assistance, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

On Monday, the official KCNA news agency also reported that North Korea is ramping up its anti-virus efforts to combat the highly transmissible Delta and Lambda strains spreading throughout the world. The organisation also claimed that measures are in the works to standardise disinfection and prohibit unrestrained movement of people and goods in offices and businesses. Simultaneously, education and control are being stepped up to ensure that everyone follows the regulations, including wearing masks in public places.

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• North Korea
• PCR
• COVID
• Coronavirus