Covid unlikely to be over by end of year: WHO

March 02, 2021 22:24

Despite the spread of Covid-19 being slowed in some countries due to lockdowns and vaccination programs, it is premature and unrealistic to the think the pandemic will be over by the end of the year, the World Health Organizations executive director of emergency services has said.

Dr Michael Ryan said while vaccinating the most vulnerable people, including healthcare workers, would help remove the tragedy and fear from the situation, and would help to ease pressure on hospitals, the virus is very much in control.

It will be very premature, and I think unrealistic, to think that were going to finish with this virus by the end of the year, Ryan said.

If the vaccines begin to impact not only on death and not only on hospitalisation, but have a significant impact on transmission dynamics and transmission risk, then I believe we will accelerate toward controlling this pandemic.

The number of new global infections rose last week for the first time in almost two months. Reported cases increased in four of the WHOs six regions: the Americas, Europe, south-east Asia and the eastern Mediterranean.

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