WHO "There May Be No Miracle Cure for COVID-19"... Urges Adherence to Basic Prevention Guidelines

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The World Health Organization (WHO) has presented a gloomy outlook that there may be no silver bullet for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 3rd (local time), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said at a virtual press briefing held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, "Some vaccines are currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, and we all hope for an effective vaccine," but added, "There may be no silver bullet."

However, he urged adherence to basic quarantine rules such as hand washing and wearing masks, saying, "No matter what happens over the next few months or years, the situation is still in our hands."

He also stated that masks should become a symbol of global solidarity to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and announced plans to start a challenge this week where people take photos certifying their mask-wearing.

Additionally, he encouraged mothers to continue breastfeeding, emphasizing that the benefits outweigh the risks even if the mother is infected with COVID-19.

Michael Ryan, WHO Executive Director of Health Emergencies, who attended the briefing, said, "The exit is far away and requires consistent commitment," calling for comprehensive responses in countries with high transmission rates such as Brazil and India.

He also revealed that a China-international expert team led by WHO is scheduled to be dispatched to Wuhan, China, to investigate the origins of COVID-19. Previously, WHO sent an advance team consisting of two members, including epidemiologists and animal health experts, to China.

According to WHO, as of the previous day, the cumulative global confirmed COVID-19 cases totaled 17,660,523, with cumulative deaths reaching 680,894.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.