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WHO: Coronavirus 'May Never Go Away'

VOA News

   WASHINGTON - As people around the world wonder when the coronavirus
   might go away, experts say: Maybe never.

   The World Health Organization warned Wednesday that the new virus,
   which has infected 4.3 million people worldwide, may become endemic,
   just like the HIV virus, and that people may have to learn to live with
   it.

   It could stay embedded in communities even if a vaccine is found, said
   WHO emergencies director Mike Ryan during a virtual news conference
   from Geneva.

   "HIV has not gone away, but we have come to terms with the virus," he
   said.

   About 100 organizations worldwide are working on developing a
   coronavirus vaccine. Even if they find one that works, containing the
   virus will take a "massive effort," the WHO official said.

   Meanwhile, the California-based Gilead drug company has reached
   agreements with several companies to make its antiviral drug Veklury,
   the brand name of remdesivir, available in 127 countries to help treat
   COVID-19.

   After weeks or months under lockdown, people around the world are eager
   to return to their normal lives, but the pandemic is showing no signs
   of going away, at least for now. Some countries, like New Zealand and
   Thailand, reported no new cases Wednesday, and Australia came close.
   Once hardest hit, Italy and Spain have both slashed the number of new
   cases.

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