The World Health Organization has warned that the Corona virus will be "long-term", noting that "the global risk level for Covid-19 is too high," calling for a "national, regional and international" response.
As of Saturday, more than 17.6 million infections worldwide had been counted, and more than 680,000 people had died of the disease, including nearly two hundred thousand in the Latin American and Caribbean region alone.
The World Health Organization, which has been meeting since Friday for the fourth time to reassess the outbreak of the Corona virus, called on countries of the world to prepare for a "long-term" pandemic.
The organization pointed out that the "global risk level for Covid-19 is very high", calling for a "national, regional and international" response. And the organization's emergency committee warned that "its duration will of course be very long."
She stressed that "most of the world's population can be affected, even those who do not live in very affected areas" by the epidemic.
The committee, formed by the director of the organization, Tedros Adhanum Gebresos, in her statement highlighted the "long expected period" of the pandemic's continuation, pointing out to the "importance of sustaining the community, national, regional and global response efforts."
The official website of the United Nations stated that after a full discussion and review of the evidence, the committee agreed "unanimously" that the outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern.
"It is a health crisis that occurs once a century, and its effects will be felt for decades to come," Tedros told the committee in his opening remarks.
The UN agency recommended continuing to mobilize global and regional multilateral organizations and partners for preparedness and response, supporting member states in maintaining health services, and accelerating research and ultimately access to diagnosis, treatment and vaccinations.
The committee also advised countries to implement proportionate travel measures and advice, based on risk assessments, and to review these procedures regularly.