Scientists in China appeared to dampen hopes that the coronavirus would eventually burn out for good and said the virus, which has been blamed for 200,000 deaths and decimating the world economy, will likely return each year.

Bloomberg reported Monday that these scientists said the virus will likely return in waves due in part to the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers. In past outbreaks, those who get sick are easily identified and quarantined, but that is not the case with SARS-CoV-2.