New Coronavirus Spreads in Dandong, Border Area Between North Korea and China... Confirmed Cases Increase to 5

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, known as the largest trade hub between North Korea and China along their border, the number of confirmed cases infected with the novel coronavirus has increased to five. North Korean authorities have strengthened quarantine measures at the border, ports, and airports and have also suspended group tours to prevent the spread of the virus. However, as the number of confirmed cases in the border area continues to rise, the situation remains concerning.

According to the Liaoning Provincial Health Commission, one additional confirmed case of the novel coronavirus was reported in Dandong on the 28th. Following the first confirmed case reported on the 26th, the total number of confirmed cases has risen to five. Among cities located in the three northeastern provinces of China, this is the fourth highest number after Harbin with 10 cases, Suihua with 8, and Shenyang with 7. Jilin Province, which shares about 1,200 km of border with North Korea, has reported 8 confirmed cases. No confirmed cases have been reported yet in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Jilin Province.

The three confirmed cases in Dandong disclosed the previous day were all Chinese nationals who had entered Dandong from other regions. One confirmed case traveled from Kunming, Yunnan Province, to Dalian and then to Dandong on the 22nd; another returned to Dandong from Beijing on the 21st. The third confirmed case was a merchant who took a train from Ezhou, Hubei Province, passing through Wuhan before entering Dandong on the 20th.

Although no confirmed cases have been reported in North Korea yet, the fact that five confirmed cases have been reported in the border city of Dandong means North Korea cannot be complacent. According to the Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun, North Korean authorities established emergency measures on the 28th to prevent the spread of the virus, strengthening quarantine at the border, ports, and airports. Earlier, North Korea announced that starting from the 22nd, it would suspend group tours for foreigners, including Chinese nationals, to North Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.