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WHO expects COVID-19 pandemic to be brought under control within two years

11 September 2020 08:58 (UTC +04:00)

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not know when the COVID-19 pandemic will be over, but assumes that the disease would be brought under control within two years, the WHO press office said, APA reports citing TASS.

Friday, September 11, marks six months since the novel coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic. The WHO defines the pandemic as "the worldwide spread of a new disease." At the early stages of the outbreak, until March 11, the WHO viewed the novel coronavirus situation as an epidemic with multiple hotspots. At the same time, back on January 30, the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern over the outbreak, which is the organization’s highest alert level. The alert is still in place.

"At this point in time, we do not know when the pandemic will come to an end, but it is possible that with global efforts and modern technology, the pandemic could be brought under control within a couple of years," the WHO press office said, adding that countries should "focus on 4 priorities: prevent amplifying events, empower people to protect themselves, focus on public health basics, and protect the vulnerable, including older people and those with underlying conditions."