WHO: 10% of World’s People May Have Been Infected With Virus
People queue maintaining physical safe distance to get a free COVID-19 test at a diagnostic booth in San Salvado.
Photographer: Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images
Geneva (AP) -- The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization said Monday the agency's “best estimates” indicate roughly 1 in 10 people worldwide may have been infected by the coronavirus — more than 20 times the number of confirmed cases — and warned of a difficult period ahead.
Dr. Michael Ryan, speaking to a special session of the WHO’s 34-member executive board focusing on COVID-19, said the figures vary from urban to rural areas, and between different groups, but that ultimately it means “the vast majority of the world remains at risk.” He said the pandemic would continue to evolve, but that tools exist to suppress transmission and save lives.