How Long Will The Coronavirus Pandemic Last? WHO Scientist Says Control Of Contagion May Be Years Off

As countries around the globe struggle to reopen their economies and contain the coronavirus pandemic, a World Health Organization scientist on Wednesday predicted COVID-19 could be a problem for as long as five more years.

Soumya Swaminathan told the Financial Times Global Boardroom digital conference a lot will depend on whether the virus mutates and whether an effective vaccine can be developed. In the meantime, the pandemic could get worse.

Since countries began shutting down their economies in March, the global economy has slid into recession with the second quarter expected to register as much as a 40% contraction.

More than 4.3 million coronavirus infections had been confirmed as of midafternoon Wednesday, with deaths from COVID-19 approaching 300,000 worldwide.

Swaminathan said she has no crystal ball, but “I would say in a four- to five-year timeframe, we could be looking at controlling this.” She advised policymakers to weigh the risks carefully as they ease restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the virus.

Mike Ryan, director of the WHO's emergency program, told the agency’s daily news conference the virus may never be eradicated.

"This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities. This virus may never go away. HIV has never gone away,” Ryan said, adding that people should be realistic.

In testimony prepared for delivery Thursday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Dr. Rick Bright, who says he was ousted from his job as hea of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority for warning the administration to prepare for a pandemic, says next winter is likely to be the "darkest ... in modern history" as the coronavirus resurges.

The world has yet to develop an effective treatment for COVID-19 or an effective vaccine against the virus although numerous trials are underway.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, testified before a Senate committee Tuesday there is no way to predict when, or even if, a vaccine will be developed.

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi said Wednesday if either of its coronavirus vaccine candidates proves viable, the United States likely will get it first because of size of its investment in the research. CEO Paul Hudson told Bloomberg Sanofi had received $30 million from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

There are some 100 vaccine candidates under evaluation around the world. Several already are undergoing human testing.