Geneva – Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Emergencies Director at WHO Dr. Mike Ryan warned against trying to predict when the virus would disappear.
The doctor added that even if a vaccine is found, controlling the virus will require a “massive effort.”
Close to 300,000 people worldwide are reported to have died from the virus and over 4,3m cases have been recorded.
Meanwhile, the UN has warned the coronavirus pandemic is causing widespread distress and mental ill-health – particularly in countries that lack investment in mental healthcare.
They have urged governments to make mental health considerations part of their overall response.
“It is important to put this on the table: this virus may just become just another endemic virus in our communities, and this virus may never go away,” said Dr Ryan in a virtual press conference from Geneva.
“HIV has not gone away – but we have come to terms with the virus.”
He further added that he does not believe that “anyone can predict when this disease will disappear”.
