The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that it has declared an end to the COVID-19 global health emergency, after more than two years of fighting the pandemic.
The decision was made by the WHO’s Emergency Committee, which met virtually to review the latest data and evidence on the virus and its variants.
The committee concluded that COVID-19 no longer poses a public health threat of international concern, as the global situation has improved significantly thanks to the widespread availability and effectiveness of vaccines, treatments and preventive measures.
The committee also noted that the virus has become endemic in most regions of the world, meaning that it will continue to circulate at low levels without causing major outbreaks or severe disease.
However, the committee warned that the pandemic is not over yet, and urged countries and individuals to remain vigilant and adhere to the recommended public health and social measures.
The committee also stressed the need for global solidarity and cooperation to ensure equitable access to vaccines and other essential health resources, especially for low- and middle-income countries that are still facing challenges in controlling the virus.
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus, welcomed the committee’s decision and thanked all the health workers, scientists, partners and communities who have contributed to the global response.
He said that declaring an end to the global health emergency does not mean that COVID-19 has disappeared, but rather that it has been brought under control.
He added that the WHO will continue to support countries and regions in their efforts to prevent, detect and respond to any new cases or variants of the virus.
He also called on everyone to celebrate this milestone with caution and responsibility, and to remember those who have lost their lives or suffered from the pandemic.
“This is a historic day for humanity, but also a day of reflection and gratitude. We have overcome the greatest health challenge of our generation, but we must not forget the lessons we have learned and the sacrifices we have made. We must continue to work together to build a healthier, safer, and fairer world for everyone’’, he said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 3 May 2023, there have been 765,222,932 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,921,614 deaths, reported to WHO.
The countries with the highest number of confirmed cases are the US, India, Brazil, France and Germany. The countries with the highest number of deaths per million population are Peru, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechia and Belgium.
