World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has tagged the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a ‘once-in-a-century health crisis’ and estimated that it could last for two more years.
He stated that globalization was a key factor that enabled the virus to spread faster compared to the Spanish flu around a century ago. However, he hopes that the pandemic would stop in its tracks if the world comes together to combat and curb the spread of the disease.
“We hope to finish this pandemic (in) less than two years, especially if we can pool our efforts,” said Ghebreyesus.
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WHO’s emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan warned that if COVID-19 was to be compared with the 1918 pandemic, the most devastating phase was during the second wave that started in the fall of 1918.
“This virus is not displaying a similar wave-like pattern. When the virus is not under control, it jumps straight back up,” said Ryan.
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Ryan furthered stated that COVID-19 is clearly distinguishable from other pandemic viruses since it doesn’t seem to settle to a seasonal pattern since numbers easily rise when the public doesn’t follow the necessary regulations and restrictions.
