Coronavirus Gradually Becoming Endemic: WHO Provides Details

The coronavirus is gradually becoming endemic, though it has not yet reached that stage. The World Health Organization (WHO) is examining various scenarios for the situation's development, stated Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the technical advisory group for emergency diseases at WHO, during a press briefing, as reported by RIA Novosti.

A disease is considered endemic if it is common to a particular region and is consistently present among the local population. Infections for which pathogens are constantly found in specific locations can also be termed endemic.

“This virus is on the path to becoming endemic. This is not even a topic for discussion. However, we are still in the midst of a pandemic, and the level of transmission, intensity, as well as the impact of new infections on essential medical services, hospitalization rates, are very important... So, the infection is on its way to becoming endemic, but we have not yet reached that point,” the expert stated.

Van Kerkhove emphasized that the WHO is considering various scenarios for the development of the situation concerning the emergence of the Omicron variant, which has already spread more than Delta in many countries.

“The virus is evolving. And Omicron is likely not the last variant. Therefore, we are dealing with an element of unpredictability. We do not have the predictability we have with influenza or typical seasonal diseases. However, we may reach that point,” she added.