WHO warns COVID-19 pandemic still volatile

Geneva, The Gulf Observer: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday warned the COVID pandemic was still volatile, saying there could be further trouble before the virus settles into a predictable pattern.

In spite of much-reduced testing, the WHO said more than 23,000 deaths and three million new cases were reported during the past 28 days.

Michael Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, said “a lot of people” are still getting sick or dying, though the numbers are decreasing.

“We don’t turn off a pandemic switch,” but are much more likely to see “a bumpy road to a more predictable pattern,” said Ryan, adding that the virus would not be eliminated, and would instead, like influenza, still cause significant respiratory disease in vulnerable people.

The expert said their quarterly meeting on the COVID-19 pandemic in May will decide whether it remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.