The World Health Organization said that the coronavirus may gradually become endemic. That is, one that is characteristic of a certain area.

Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO technical team, said in a statement during a briefing.

"This virus is on its way to becoming endemic. It is indisputable," she stated.

According to the expert, the coronavirus pandemic is now "in full swing."

"Disease rates are rising, and with it the burden on countries' health systems. But we haven't reached that stage yet," Van Kerkhove noted.

She stressed that the virus often mutates, so predicting the development of a pandemic is difficult. In particular, and because different countries fight the pandemic in different ways.

"There's not as much predictability here as with the flu and other typical seasonal infections. Maybe we'll get there, but we haven't yet," van Kerckhove summarized.