Coronavirus epidemic 'far from over' in Asia: WHO official

The coronavirus epidemic is far from over in the Asia-Pacific region.

That's according to a WHO official, who added that "every country needs to keep preparing for large-scale community transmissions".

"Let me be clear. The epidemic is far from over in Asia and the Pacific. This is going to be a long-term battle and we cannot let down our guard," Takeshi Kasai, Regional Director for the Western Pacific at the WHO, told a virtual media briefing.

He added that countries with limited resources are a priority, and any nation seeing a reduction in cases should not led down their guard, as they could risk seeing a resurge in the virus.

Global figures stand at more than 785,000 for infections, with over 165,000 recoveries.