WHO chief hopes coronavirus can be ended "in less than two years"August 22, 2020 - 10:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said he hopes the coronavirus crisis can be ended in less than two years, The Independent reports. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director general, noted on Friday, August 21 that the Spanish flu pandemic which began in 1918 took two years to end. “Our situation now with more technology, of course with more [connectivity] ... the virus has a better chance of spreading, it can move fast,” Mr Tedros said. “At the same time we have the technology and knowledge to stop it.” Almost 23 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported around the world and more than 799,000 have died from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University. At the WHO’s media briefing on Friday, Tedros also warned that countries needed to continue to suppress Covid-19 transmission until a vaccine or treatment is found. “No country can just ride this out until we have a vaccine,” the health chief said. “A vaccine will be a vital tool, and we hope that we will have one as soon as possible. “But there’s no guarantee that we will, and even if we do have a vaccine, it won’t end the pandemic on its own.” Photo. AFP/Getty Images Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |