Science News Hubb
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
Science News Hubb
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News

Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency, says WHO

admin by admin
May 6, 2023
in Science News


Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, at a press briefing

Xinhua/Shutterstock

Covid-19 is “no longer a global health emergency” in the view of the World Health Organization (WHO), which has downgraded the threat level posed by the coronavirus following three years at the highest state of alert.

Speaking at a news conference on 5 May, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pandemic has been on a “downward trend” for more than a year, with population immunity increasing due to vaccinations and infections, leading to reduced mortality and an easing of pressure on health services. “This trend has allowed most countries to return to life as we knew it before covid-19,” he said.

“Yesterday, the emergency committee met for the 15th time and recommended to me that I declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern [PHEIC],” he added. “I have accepted that advice”.

Covid-19 was declared a PHEIC on 30 January 2020, after the initial outbreak of the virus in China in December 2019 had spread to 18 other countries.

It is the highest alarm the WHO can sound of a global threat to public health, with such events deemed to be extraordinary, to constitute an international public health threat and to require a coordinated international response.

Ending the PHEIC declaration is a major symbolic step towards the end of the pandemic. It also means that countries are no longer obliged to share health data with the WHO.

Since 2020, covid-19 has infected more than 765 million people and killed more than 7 million worldwide, according to the WHO. But thanks to mutations in the virus and a global vaccine rollout, the disease is now less likely to cause serious illness.

Many countries have already returned to near-normal in recent months, with restrictions on social distancing, mask wearing and testing dropped by many governments, including those of the US and the UK.

But Tedros warned that the coronavirus is “here to stay”, stressing that countries will now need to transition towards managing the virus in the same way as other infectious diseases, such as flu.

“It is still killing and it is still changing. The risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths,” he said. “The worst thing any country could do now is to use this news as a reason to let down its guard, to dismantle the systems it has built or to send the message to its people that covid-19 is nothing to worry about.”

While the emergency committee will now be disbanded, a new review committee will be established to develop long-term recommendations to advise countries on managing covid-19 on an ongoing basis, Tedros added.

Topics:



Source link

Tags: covid-19pandemic
Previous Post

SpaceX launch of Ax-2 private astronaut mission targeted for May 21

Next Post

WHO declares an end to the global COVID-19 public health emergency

Next Post

WHO declares an end to the global COVID-19 public health emergency

Recommended

English May Be Science’s Native Language, but It’s Not Native to All Scientists

September 3, 2023

Science Philosophy in a Flash – A Surprising Way to Repair Scar Tissue

April 12, 2023

Don't miss it

Science News

Readers discuss Indigenous healing, an experimental depression treatment and more

November 28, 2023
Science News

Antarctica iceberg A23a: Where is it now and does it pose any threat?

November 28, 2023
Science News

SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites from Florida

November 28, 2023
Technology

Climate Adaptation is Backfiring – Scientific American

November 28, 2023
Technology

Speedy Downloads: Why NASA Is Turning To Lasers For Next-Gen Space Comms

November 28, 2023
Technology

Move Over, Proteins! Exploring Lipids in Adaptive Immunity

November 28, 2023

© Science News Hubb All rights reserved.

Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

Newsletter Sign Up

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

© 2022 Science News Hubb All rights reserved.