North Korea is stepping up its response to the “widespread malignant virus infection,” carrying out “anti-epidemic activities” to stop coronavirus spreading, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The country’s Ministry of Public Health is attempting to develop a vaccine, and is stockpiling “materials necessary for emergency anti-epidemic work,” KCNA reported.

A special committee is also “intensifying the control and guidance on quarantine, lockdown, inspection and sterilization to thoroughly check the inroads of COVID-19,” according to the KCNA wire, which was published on Saturday.

North Korea has not reported any coronavirus cases to the World Health Organization.

CNN