BBC News Coronavirus

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 19 May 2022 shows staff disinfecting the premises of a medical oxygen factory to curb the current coronavirus disease health crisis in Pyongyang, North Korea

North Korea fighting Covid with tea and salt water

As Covid spreads in North Korea, state media urges the use of traditional medicine against the virus.

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A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 19 May 2022 shows staff disinfecting the premises of a medical oxygen factory to curb the current coronavirus disease health crisis in Pyongyang, North Korea

North Korea fighting Covid with tea and salt water

As Covid spreads in North Korea, state media urges the use of traditional medicine against the virus.

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 19 May 2022 shows staff disinfecting the premises of a medical oxygen factory to curb the current coronavirus disease health crisis in Pyongyang, North Korea

North Korea fighting Covid with tea and salt water

As Covid spreads in North Korea, state media urges the use of traditional medicine against the virus.

Chinese policemen wearing masks

Why the WHO is questioning China's Covid policy

The WHO thinks China's current Covid policy is not sustainable - but China seems determined to stay the course.

Employees spray disinfectant and wipe surfaces as part of preventative measures against the Covid-19 coronavirus at the Pyongyang Children's Department Store in Pyongyang on 18 March 2022

Over a million Covid cases feared in North Korea

The military has been ordered to intervene as a wave of Covid cases sweeps the unvaccinated country.

Kim Jong-un wearing a face mask at a government meeting

N Korea has confirmed Covid: What's likely to happen?

North Korea is uniquely vulnerable to the virus, and the options to control its spread are limited.

A Beijing resident gets a Covid-19 swab test.

China unemployment rate near pandemic peak

Evidence of China's economic slowdown came as authorities unveiled plans to lift Shanghai's lockdown.

A transit officer, wearing a protective gear, controls access to a tunnel in the direction of Pudong district in lockdown as a measure against the Covid-19 coronavirus, in Shanghai on March 28, 2022

Why is Shanghai in a lockdown?

Shanghai announced that it would "open up" soon, but many worry that a de facto lockdown will continue.

Flags at half mast in Washington DC

United States passes one million Covid deaths

It's the highest total in the world - but the WHO thinks the true death toll may be higher elsewhere.

Chinese policemen wearing masks

Why the WHO is questioning China's Covid policy

The WHO thinks China's current Covid policy is not sustainable - but China seems determined to stay the course.

Employees spray disinfectant and wipe surfaces as part of preventative measures against the Covid-19 coronavirus at the Pyongyang Children's Department Store in Pyongyang on 18 March 2022

Over a million Covid cases feared in North Korea

The military has been ordered to intervene as a wave of Covid cases sweeps the unvaccinated country.

Kim Jong-un wearing a face mask at a government meeting

N Korea has confirmed Covid: What's likely to happen?

North Korea is uniquely vulnerable to the virus, and the options to control its spread are limited.

A Beijing resident gets a Covid-19 swab test.
A transit officer, wearing a protective gear, controls access to a tunnel in the direction of Pudong district in lockdown as a measure against the Covid-19 coronavirus, in Shanghai on March 28, 2022
Flags at half mast in Washington DC

Latest Updates

  10. Malawi Covid fund audit finds $4.7m missing

    Peter Jegwa

    Lilongwe, Malawi

    Health officials wearing face masks in Blantyre, Malawi
    Copyright: AFP
    Image caption: This is the second audit into money set aside in Malawi to tackle coronavirus

    An audit into Covid spending in Malawi has found that around $4.7m (£3.7m) cannot be accounted for from $21m set aside to deal with the second phase of the pandemic.

    This is on top of $881m from the first phase that a 2020 audit showed had been spent irregularly or was not accounted for.

    After the first audit, President Lazarus Chakwera promised to crack down on the culprits and several officials were taken to court, though none of the cases have yet concluded.

    The latest investigation - a 66-page report by the country’s auditor general - lists the irregularities, which include undelivered medical supplies, allowances paid without attendance sheets and fuel acquired without official documentation.

    It has been presented to the minister of finance for action.

    Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) say this second exposé shows that public systems for managing resources are broken, with no political will to hold people accountable.

    “We lost many countrymen and women because funds that could have been used to buy basic equipment and essential drugs were abused; sadly we do not have a leadership that is showing enough concern to change things,” said Sylvester Namiwa, who heads the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI).

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