WHO expert says world has "long, long way to go" in COVID-19 fight

The World Health Organization's top emergencies expert cautioned on Wednesday the world had a "long, long way to go" to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control, despite tentative steps in many countries to begin restarting normal life.

Dr Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergencies programme, said risks from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, remained high at "national, regional and global levels".

Speaking at an online news briefing, Ryan said "very significant control" of the virus was required in order to lower the current risk assessment.