Coronavirus Pandemic Could Last Up to Two Years, Report Shows

A research report is predicting the coronavirus could be around far longer than initially projected — approximately two years.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) released a report on Thursday with new, preliminary findings on the coronavirus.

According to the study, the viral pandemic could continue “1- to 2-year period” not including different waves that may occur in certain areas.

Researchers have compiled their projection based on information currently available about the coronavirus along with investigative findings from eight previous major pandemics.

Due to the highly contagious nature of the virus and its ability to spread among asymptomatic carriers, the study also notes that it will likely be very difficult to contain.

The report also notes that people may have a higher chance of infecting others before they even begin to show symptoms.

“The virus caught the global community off guard, and its future course is still highly unpredictable; there is no crystal ball to tell us what the future holds and what the ‘end game’ for controlling this pandemic will be,” the report reads.

The report also noted that 60% to 70% of the population “may need to be immune to reach a critical threshold of herd immunity to halt the pandemic.”

CIDRAP director Mike Osterholm discussed that population figure with CNN.