The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed “concern” over the COVID-19 situation in North Korea, as the omicron variant appears to have affected nearly 1.5 million people in the country since late April.

“With the country yet to initiate COVID-19 vaccination, there is risk that the virus may spread rapidly among the masses unless curtailed with immediate and appropriate measures,” WHO regional director Khetrapal Singh said in a press release Monday.

The WHO stated that it is noting state media reports “about deaths and a large number of people with fever,” but that it is still “awaiting information” from North Korean