Coronavirus: 15 countries left in the world that allegedly have no cases

With over 2.5 million coronavirus cases reported globally as of Wednesday, it would be easy to assume the dreaded virus has reached its tentacles into every corner of the world.

However, there are reportedly still 15 countries across Asia, Africa, and Oceania that claim ‘zero’ COVID-19 cases, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

Some of the countries reporting no cases are in remote areas, such as the island regions of Micronesia and Polynesia – so they have naturally isolated geographical positions.

For other countries, such as the three Asian countries – some landlocked with no natural borders – it remains to be seen whether they are reporting accurate figures.

Here are the 15 countries that claim to be uninfected by COVID-19:

A Flourish map

Comoros

With just 36,000 annual arrivals, this island nation off the east coast of Africa is one of the world’s least visited countries. It also helps that Comoros authorities have suspended all international flights until further notice.

Kiribati

With only 6,000 annual overseas arrivals, Kiribati is one of the world’s hardest-to-reach travel destinations, which may help isolate it from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vacant land on Tarawa, capital of the vast archipelago nation of Kiribati on September 11, 2001. (AFP)

Lesotho

Along with Comoros, Lesotho is one of only two African countries without a single reported victim of coronavirus. But with its neighbor South Africa experiencing thousands of confirmed cases, it seems highly unlikely that the virus has yet to reach Lesotho. It is possible that cases simply have yet to be identified or officially registered.

A man walks on the land at Ha Mampho village, in Lesotho on June 3, 2017. (AP)

Marshall Islands

This country is already remote. What’s more, authorities have introduced several precautionary measures, including a full ban on international arrivals.

Federated States of Micronesia

This vast archipelago encompasses 607 islands that spread over 1,678 miles of ocean – yet no coronavirus.

Jeep Island, a private island paradise located in Chuuk, Micronesia on Oct. 29, 2017. (AP)

Nauru

With a population of only about 10,000 people, the tiny country only has one hospital and no ventilators. Only around 200 tourists journey to Nauru each year, so it’s little surprise that it’s currently free of COVID-19.

North Korea

It is no surprise that North Korea has reported ‘zero’ cases, as the country is notorious for cutting itself off from the world and being sparing with facts.

Given that North Korea is bordered by China, Russia, and South Korea, it’s extremely unlikely that the country has no COVID-19 cases. Interestingly, North Korean citizens are particularly susceptible to respiratory infections, which account for over 11 percent of deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That’s another reason why it is unlikely that North Korea has zero cases so far.

Students wearing facemasks have their temperature checked as a precaution against a new coronavirus as their university reopened following vacation, at Kim Chaek University of Technology in Pyongyang on April 22, 2020. (AP)

Palau

To keep the virus out, this Pacific Island nation has banned travelers arriving via China, Macao, or Hong Kong.

In this June 20, 2009 file photo, the Palau Capital building is seen in Melekeok, Palau. (AP)

Samoa

With a population of 198,413, Samoa has allegedly managed to keep novel coronavirus cases at zero. However, a state of emergency was declared on March 20 and all international travel by plane is now prohibited.

Solomon Islands

So far, no coronavirus cases have been reported, and since March 23 all non-citizens have been refused entry.

Tajikistan

Given Tajikistan’s land border with China, it seems unlikely that this sizeable nation of over nine million people has managed to completely avoid coronavirus.

Aerial view of the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, taken January 28, 2002. (AFP)

Tonga

Tonga has avoided COVID-19, according to official statistics. The nation has closed its borders to all travelers and instated a nighttime curfew.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan claims to have no coronavirus cases, despite being wedged between two of the world’s hardest-hit countries – China and Iran.

Tuvalu

With only 2,000 visitors annually, perhaps it’s no surprise that no coronavirus cases have been confirmed.

The pristine waters which surround Tepuka Islet on Funafuti in Tuvalu, on February 22, 2004. (AFP)

Vanuatu

None of Vanuatu’s 307,145 residents has tested positive for coronavirus.