Like HIV, Coronavirus “May Never Go Away” – WHO Warns

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) may never go away, contrary to what is being projected.

Speaking at a briefing on Wednesday, WHO emergencies director Dr Mike Ryan admonished against trying to predict when the virus would disappear.

"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," Dr Ryan told the virtual press conference from Geneva.

"HIV has not gone away - but we have come to terms with the virus." He added

He added that even if a vaccine is found  for Covid-19, controlling the virulent disease will require a "massive effort".

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

The UN meanwhile warned the pandemic was 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.