At least one infectious disease expert says considering the COVID-19 situation to now be “endemic” is premature.

Public health restrictions have eased again today, with indications that all restrictions could be eliminated by mid-March if all goes well.

Dr. Peter Daley, an infectious disease physician and associate professor in the Faculty of Medicine at MUN, says he understands the desire to lift restrictions, but expects an increase in virus transmission as a result.

He says there will be an increase in the spread of the virus if restrictions are lifted with the virus is still in circulation.

Daley says to label COVID-19 as endemic is premature. He says endemic means the virus is stable and predictable, which it is not.