Coronavirus: World Health Organization reflects on COVID-19 pandemic at year’s end

World Health Organization (WHO) officials on Monday reflected on the novel coronavirus pandemic throughout the past year. Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said that Monday was the one-year anniversary since WHO learned of cases of pneumonia from a bulletin issued by health authorities in Wuhan, China. “This is a moment for all of us to reflect on the toll the pandemic has taken, the progress we have made, the lessons we have learned,” he said. Officials also discussed the new COVID-19 variant identified in the U.K., including travel restrictions implemented in multiple areas. WHO COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said people also "need to focus on adhering to the measures that are put in place around us." Tedros concluded the WHO’s final press conference of the year by stating that although it has been challenging for many, he is hopeful that “the problems and difficulties of 2020 will be behind us and we will have a better 2021.”