SEATTLE, Wash. – Two years after the first U.S. case of COVID-19 was confirmed here in western Washington, we’re hearing some positive news about the future of the pandemic it heralded.
The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation says we are approaching a shift in how we deal with the disease.
“The era of major restrictions is coming to an end. COVID will be around for the long-term and it will be a disease, like the flu, that we have to manage.”
KIRO News reports the institute’s Dr. Chris Murray sees a period of low transmission following this omicron surge.
He says that’s because 50% to 60% of the world’s population will become infected with the variant, pushing us toward herd immunity.
The institute has been the most respected source for predictions since the pandemic began.