WHO expects ‘lengthy’ coronavirus pandemic

WHO expects ‘lengthy’ coronavirus pandemic

WHO expects 'lengthy' coronavirus pandemic

WHO expects 'lengthy' coronavirus pandemic

WHO expects 'lengthy' coronavirus pandemic

An employee of an aid organisation shows a sample at a newly established Corona testing station in Dortmund, western Germany, on August 1, 2020, amid the new coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (AFP)

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WHO expects 'lengthy' coronavirus pandemic

"The pandemic is a once-in-a-century health crisis, the effects of which will be felt for decades to come," the WHO's chief said

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 680,000 people

Updated 01 August 2020

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GENEVA: The World Health Organization on Saturday warned the coronavirus pandemic was likely to be "lengthy" after its emergency committee met to evaluate the crisis six months after sounding the international alarm.

The committee "highlighted the anticipated lengthy duration of this COVID-19 pandemic", the WHO said in a statement, and warned of the risk of "response fatigue" given the socio-economic pressures on countries.

The panel gathered Friday for the fourth time over the coronavirus crisis, half a year on from its January 30 declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) - the WHO's highest level of alarm.

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

"The committee highlighted the anticipated lengthy duration