Staff disinfect the premises of a medical oxygen factory to curb the COVID-19 health crisis in Pyongyang in this photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), May 19. North Korea has increased production of drugs and medical supplies amid a nationwide lockdown and mobilization of troops to tackle the pandemic since the country first disclosed the COVID-19 outbreak last week. EPA-Yonhap

North Korea reported over 260,000 new suspected COVID-19 cases Friday, with the total number surpassing 2 million, eight days after it first confirmed the coronavirus outbreak.

More than 263,370 people showed "symptoms of fever" and two deaths were reported over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, raising the total number of fatalities to 65, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters.

The total number of "fever cases" since late April in the country, with a population of around 25 million, stood at more than 2.24 million as of 6 p.m. Thursday, of which more than 1.48 million have recovered and at least 754,810 are being treated, it added.

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The daily number of cases has remained under 300,000 for a fourth day after reaching 392,920, Sunday.

Last Thursday, the North reported its first COVID-19 case after claiming to be coronavirus-free for over two years and declared the implementation of a "maximum emergency" virus control system. (Yonhap)