Expecting a "prolonged" coronavirus: WHO

The WHO "in a statement," said the committee "highlighted the long expected life of the COVID-19 epidemic," and warned of the risk of "overburdening the response" given the socio-economic pressures on countries.

Geneva, Switzerland:

The World Health Organization warned on Saturday that the coronavirus pandemic was likely to be "long" after the emergency committee met to assess the crisis six months after the international alarm sounded.

The WHO "in a statement," said the committee "highlighted the long expected life of the COVID-19 epidemic," and warned of the risk of "overburdening the response" given the socio-economic pressures on countries.

On Friday, the committee met for the fourth time on the coronavirus crisis, half a year after it announced on January 30th a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) - the highest level of alert by the World Health Organization.

"The WHO continues to assess the global risk level of COVID-19 as too high," said its latest statement.

“The Committee highlighted the expected long duration of the COVID-19 epidemic, noting the importance of continued community, national, regional and global response efforts.”

A toll from official sources compiled by Agence France-Presse reported that the new coronavirus has killed at least 680,000 people and infected at least 17.6 million since the disease appeared in China last December.

Unsurprisingly, the panel, comprising 18 members and 12 advisers, unanimously agreed that the epidemic still constituted the PHEIC.

Warning of crisis stress -

Many countries around the world have imposed strict closures in an attempt to control the spread of respiratory disease, causing economies to slide into severe contraction.

The Committee urged WHO to provide precise and practical guidance on COVID-19 interactions "to reduce the risk of response fatigue in the context of socio-economic pressures."

The Committee urged WHO to support countries in preparing for the deployment of proven treatments and vaccines.