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Pandemic Worsens in US

VOA News

   The coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen in the United States. On
   Friday, the country reported more than 65,000 new infections, the
   latest in a number of record-breaking days.

   Georgia, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Utah set records for
   daily reports of new infections.

   The World Health Organization's emergencies program chief said Friday
   that the new coronavirus may be here to stay.

   "In the current situation, it is unlikely we can eradicate the virus,"
   Dr. Mike Ryan said Friday at the WHO's regular coronavirus briefing in
   Geneva.

   The world could "potentially avoid the worst of having second peaks and
   having to move backwards in terms of a lockdown" if surges in
   infections can be extinguished, he added.

   WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus offered a word of optimism, saying
   examples around the world have shown that even if the COVID-19 pandemic
   is "very intense," it can still be brought back under control."

   But Tedros noted that global cases of infections worldwide have more
   than doubled in the last six weeks alone.

   The WHO formally acknowledged Thursday that the coronavirus could be
   spread through the air in crowded, closed or poorly ventilated
   environments, after initially dismissing the possibility.

   Australian and U.S. scientists, backed by more than 200 others, wrote
   this week that studies show "beyond any reasonable doubt that viruses
   are released during exhalation, talking and coughing in microdroplets
   small enough to remain aloft in the air."

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