Coronavirus May Never Go Away, World Health Organization Warns Amid Widespread Mental Distress Caused By The Virus

World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that coronavirus “may never go away” as predicted but may continually be in circulation but controlled.

Speaking at a briefing on Wednesday, WHO emergencies director Dr Mike Ryan gave this caution on Wednesday, while warning against trying to predict how long coronavirus would keep circulating, and called for a “massive effort” to overcome it.

He added that even if a vaccine is found, controlling the virus will require a ‘massive effort’, saying;

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.

Dr Ryan also said he doesn’t believe ‘anyone can predict when this disease will disappear’.

Though there are currently more than 100 potential vaccines in development, Dr Ryan noted there are other illnesses, such as measles, that still haven’t been eliminated despite finding vaccines for them.

On his part, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that it is however still possible to control the virus, with effort.

He said;

The trajectory is in our hands, and it’s everybody’s business, and we should all contribute to stop this pandemic.

WHO epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove also told the briefing;

We need to get into the mindset that it is going to take some time to come out of this pandemic.

Their stark remarks come as several countries continues to gradually ease lockdown measures, and leaders consider the issue of how and when to reopen their economies.

Dr Tedros warned that there is no guaranteed way of easing restrictions without triggering a second wave of infections.

The WHO boss said;

Many countries would like to get out of the different measures. But our recommendation is still the alert at any country should be at the highest level possible.

WHO emergencies director Dr Ryan added;

There is some magical thinking going on that lockdowns work perfectly and that unlocking lockdowns will go great. Both are fraught with dangers.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that the pandemic is causing widespread distress and mental ill health – particularly in countries where there’s a lack of investment in mental healthcare.

The UN urged governments to make mental health considerations part of their overall response.

Almost 300,000 people worldwide are reported to have died with coronavirus, and more than 4.3 million cases recorded.