Researcher Christine Tedijanto said it will take at least two more years to reach 'sufficient levels of population immunity for the disease to stop spreading.'

The message from the group's president comes after doctors from Royal Columbian Hospital called on Dr. Bonnie Henry for stricter social distancing measures, including enforcement.

The physicians say the closure of non-essential businesses and the enforcement of social distancing measures is critically needed to avoid a "catastrophic number of preventable deaths" and strain on the health care system.