‘COVID-19 May Never Go Away,’ WHO Says

The World Health Organisation, WHO has warned that coronavirus may become endemic in the same way as HIV and populations around the world will have to learn to live with it.

In an online briefing on Wednesday, Mike Ryan, an emergency expert of the United Nations health agencies, said COVID-19 may never be wiped out entirely as some countries continue to gradually ease its lockdown restrictions.

“It is important to put this on the table: this virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and this virus may never go away. HIV has not gone away, but we have come to terms with the virus,” Ryan said.

“I think it is important we are realistic and I don’t think anyone can predict when this disease will disappear. I think there are no promises in this and there are no dates. This disease may settle into a long problem, or it may not be.”

aljazeera reports over 4.3 million cases have been confirmed around the world, and more than 291,000 fatalities have been recorded. However, more than 100 potential vaccines are being developed, including several in clinical trials.