Global health agency downgrades the classification of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called off the global health emergency status for the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was made by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a recent press conference.
"Following the advice of the Emergency Committee on COVID-19, I have decided to end the Public Health Emergency of International Concern," Tedros shared during the gathering.
Tedros highlighted that while COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, it remains a persistent health concern.
"In the past week alone, COVID-19 claimed a life every three minutes, with many more deaths going unreported," he said.
The WHO chief also mentioned that he would promptly reconvene the emergency committee if COVID-19 once again poses a danger to the world. He expressed his appreciation to healthcare professionals worldwide for their tireless efforts in saving lives during this challenging time.
"COVID-19 has reshaped our world and left an indelible impact on us all," he noted.
The COVID-19 outbreak initially surfaced in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared this event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and on March 11, 2020, it officially classified the situation as a pandemic.
According to WHO data, there have been 765 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide as of May 3, 2023, with 6.9 million deaths. However, Tedros stated that the actual figures likely surpass these numbers, estimating that at least 20 million lives have been lost to COVID-19.
Currently, SARS-CoV-2 activity is on the rise in certain regions, while ongoing surveillance and variant monitoring continue. The NB.1.8.1 variant, a previously under-monitored variant, has gained prominence, accounting for around 11% of global sequencing as of mid-May 2025.
Infected populations across the world do not adhere to a seasonal pattern, emphasizing the necessity for continuous monitoring to effectively manage risks. The WHO maintains its stance on an integrated, risk-based approach to COVID-19 management and stresses the importance of vaccination as a key intervention, particularly for high-risk populations.
In conclusion, although some regions experience a surge in COVID-19 cases linked to new variants, global deaths and severe cases appear to be decreasing or stable. The WHO continues to advocate for ongoing public health measures and vaccination to control the pandemic effectively.
"The end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern for COVID-19 does not signify its elimination as a health concern, as stated by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,"
"Despite the WHO's decision to deem COVID-19 no longer a global health emergency, politics, policy-and-legislation, and general-news continue to revolve around its management and mitigation efforts."
