WHO: Pandemic ‘one big wave,’ not seasonal

GENEVA (Reuters) — The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday warned against complacency about new coronavirus transmission in the northern hemisphere summer, saying this virus does not behave like influenza that tends to follow seasonal trends.

“People are still thinking about seasons. What we all need to get our heads around is this is a new virus and ... this one is behaving differently,” Margaret Harris of the WHO told a virtual briefing in Geneva, urging vigilance in applying measures to slow transmission that is spreading through mass gatherings.

Harris also warned against thinking in terms of virus waves, saying, “It’s going to be one big wave. It’s going to go up and down a bit. The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet.”