The regional director for Europe at the World Health Organization (WHO) has predicted that the COVID-19 outbreak will end in early 2022.
Hans Kluge told Danish state broadcaster DR that COVID-19 will still be prevalent in 2021, but more manageable than in 2020.
Stating that the worst scenarios are now over, Mr. Kluge said there is more information concerning the virus compared to 2020, when it first began spreading.
He cautioned however that no one knows the future of COVID-19.
Mr. Kluge said, while there will continue to be a virus, restrictions will not be needed then.
Adding that the WHO is closely monitoring the effectiveness of vaccines developed against COVID-19 due to the fast-spreading types of the virus, he said vaccines can be altered based on the new mutations if necessary.
He said mutations will not make the virus get out of control but noted that countries whose health care systems are already under pressure could come under even more pressure, which makes it necessary to take the mutations very seriously.
The WHO official indicated that the biggest problem will emerge when those who are vaccinated are in the same environment with those who have not been inoculated.