WHO Expects COVID-19 Pandemic to Be Brought Under Control Within Two Years
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 told 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."
The World Health Organization believes that six months after the pandemic was declared, the novel coronavirus has not become less or more contagious.
"Human viruses can evolve, becoming less or more pathogenic. Based on the current evidence from over 80 000 genomic sequences made available publicly, the transmissibility and severity of COVID-19 haven’t changed," the WHO press office said, answering to a question from TASS.
The reproduction number of COVID-19 (which measures the transmissibility) is naturally above 2 in the absence of control measures, "which means it has an epidemic potential to take off if we allow it to," the organization said.
"We are constantly monitoring the virus for any significant changes," it said. "While SARS-CoV2 is still a new virus, we already know a lot and we can use that information to mount an effective response."
-
17:08
The regular session of the Anti-corruption Policy Council takes place in Jermuk
-
15:05
The Prime Minister sends congratulatory messages to the supreme leader of Iran and the President of Iran
-
11:11
Armenia sends earthquake aid to Turkey
-
10:43
Commemoration of the Pontiff St. Sahak Partev
-
09:16
Some roads are closed and difficult to pass in Armenia
-
19:55
Phone conversation of the Foreign Minister of Armenia with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
-
18:30
Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Khachaturyan meet
-
18:20
Ararat Mirzoyan with Co-Chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group of France Brice Roquefeuil
-
17:01
Humans could land on Mars within 10 years, Musk predicts
-
16:45
France, US urge 'immediate' end to Nagorno Karabakh blockade
-
16:01
Blockaded Nagorno Karabakh launches fundraiser to support quake-hit Syria
-
15:59
Earthquake death toll in Turkey rises to 18,342
-
15:43
Ararat Mirzoyan Held a Telephone Conversation with Sergey Lavrov
-
15:06
French president rules out fighter jet supplies to Ukraine in near future
-
14:47
5 Day Weather Forecast in Armenia
-
14:44
President Vahagn Khachaturyan wrote a note in the book of condolences opened in the Embassy of Syria in Armenia
-
14:20
Azerbaijan’s provocations impede establishment of peace and stability – Armenian FM tells Russian Co-Chair of OSCE MG
-
12:57
France representation to OSCE: Paris calls on Azerbaijan to restore freedom of movement through Lachin corridor
-
11:40
Command of Kosovo forces highly appreciated preparation of Armenian peacekeepers
-
10:16
The United States withdrew from sanctions against Syria for six months the provision of assistance after the earthquake
day
week
month
Humidity: 26%
Wind: 0.51 km/h