WHO says COVID-19 is a 'once-in-a-century health crisis and its effects will be felt for decades to come'

The World Health Organization on Saturday warned the coronavirus pandemic was likely to be 'lengthy' and that is effects would be felt far into the future after its emergency committee met to evaluate the crisis six months after sounding the international alarm.

The committee 'highlighted the anticipated lengthy duration of this COVID-19 pandemic,' the WHO said in a statement, and warned of the risk of ‘response fatigue’ given the socioeconomic pressures on countries.

The panel gathered Friday for the fourth time over the coronavirus crisis, half a year on from its January 30 declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) - the WHO's highest level of alarm.

‘WHO continues to assess the global risk level of COVID-19 to be very high,’ it said following the meeting.