North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says there is a weakness in the country's infection prevention system.

North Korea confirmed its first coronavirus outbreak on Thursday. Kim ordered officials to lock down all cities and counties in the country.

North Korea's ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on Friday that Kim visited the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters on the previous day, and was briefed on the infection situation.

Kim reportedly said the spread of fever in the capital area shows that there is a vulnerable point in the country's epidemic prevention system. He instructed officials to step up preventive measures.

The newspaper showed pictures of Kim speaking with officials of the headquarters, and staff members lined up wearing protective gear.

The report said a fever of unknown cause spread explosively across the country since late last month, and that over 350,000 people had fevers. It said that about 162,200 people had recovered.

The newspaper said over 18,000 people were confirmed to have a fever on Thursday alone. It said about 187,800 people are being isolated and treated, and that six people had died, including one who was infected with the Omicron variant.