How long will the pandemic last?
That's the big question. Possibly not until a vaccine becomes available, which could be between 12 and 18 months
This virus's closest relative, SARS, while deadly, spread more slowly and to far fewer countries and so early containment efforts worked to wipe it out, largely within a year.
For COVID-19, many experts are instead drawing parallels with the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, which killed millions around the world because it spread so far.
The good news is medicine has taken a quantum leap forward since then. Still, modelling by the Imperial College London suggests countries will need to use control measures such as social distancing, aggressive case detection, even shutdowns right through until a vaccine becomes available – between 12 and 18 months.
When Will Coronavirus Pandemic End?
When will the pandemic end?
Explore the three strategies governments and communities can use to contain and end a pandemic, and find out which method is best.
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