The world will not be rid of the COVID-19 pandemic before the end of the year, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official stressed on Monday evening.

Michael Ryan, director of WHO's emergencies program, stated that it will still be possible to reduce the number of infections and deaths, however the pandemic is still fatal, especially after the recent rise in the number of infections this week after it had dropped for seven consecutive weeks, The New York Times reported.

"It will be premature, and I think unrealistic, to think that we're going to finish with this virus by the end of the year," Ryan added, "If we're smart, we can finish with the hospitalizations and the deaths and the tragedy associated with the pandemic," he went on.

He pointed out that the WHO is focusing on keeping the virus infection rate as low as possible and on helping to prevent the emergence of mutated strains and reducing the number of infected people.

Vaccinating workers in the health sector in the first place and the most vulnerable will allow to end the fear and tragedy associated with the pandemic.