The World Health Organization on Monday updated its declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The virus could then be downgraded to a less serious but permanent fixture in the full spectrum of human pathogens.
On Friday, the agency convened its 14th emergency committee to assess the global situation of the pandemic coronavirus. This week marks his third anniversary since authorities first declared him COVID-19 PHEIC.
“Four years into the pandemic, we are certainly in a much better position than we were a year ago, when the Omicron wave was at its peak, with over 70,000 deaths reported to WHO each week. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his opening remarks at the Commission meeting on Friday:
Since then, the pandemic has subsided globally. In October, the weekly death toll dropped to below his 10,000, the lowest of any pandemic. However, the number is on the rise again, largely because of a massive wave of infections in mainland China after China abruptly abandoned its COVID-zero policy.
About 40,000 deaths were reported worldwide last week, more than half of them in China. “In total, more than 170,000 deaths have been reported over the past eight weeks. The actual number is certainly much higher,” Tedros said.
Overall, the Commission determined that COVID-19 “remains a dangerous infectious disease that can cause significant damage to health and healthcare systems.” In addition to the still-high death toll, the Commission found low vaccination coverage in low- and middle-income countries, a dramatic decline in surveillance of subspecies, and the continued misinformation driving vaccine hesitation. expressed concern about its rapid spread and long-term threats. Long COVID. The commission also acknowledged that “pandemic fatigue and a decline in public awareness of risks has led to a significant decline in the use of public health and social measures such as masks and social distancing.”
transition
Still, the committee noted that the pandemic appears to be approaching an “inflection point,” at which point COVID-19 will transition from a serious crisis to a persistent, low-level threat. Many countries need to improve overall vaccination coverage, but worldwide he has 13.1 billion doses delivered, providing high levels of protection in frontline, high-risk populations. increase. Overall, 89% of global health workers have completed primary testing, as have her 81% of those over 60. In addition, combining vaccination and infection has established higher levels of herd immunity.
WHO concluded: “There is no doubt that this virus will remain a permanently established pathogen in humans and animals in the near future.” But with population immunity high and even higher in many places, the focus needs to shift to “long-term public health action.” This includes continued improvement in vaccination coverage, especially among high-priority groups. It also means stepping up disease and variant surveillance, increasing access to COVID-19 treatments, and preparing for future outbreak events.
“Eliminating this virus from human and animal reservoirs is almost impossible, but mitigating its devastating impact on morbidity and mortality is achievable and must remain a priority goal. WHO said.
Overall, WHO has prepared for the transition from the crisis phase of the pandemic to the new normal with SARS-CoV-2. PHEIC status is maintained for now, but the commission will meet again after his three months to reassess the situation.
“We hope that next year the world will be able to reduce hospitalizations and deaths to the lowest possible levels, and that the health system will move to a new phase where COVID-19 can be managed in an integrated and sustainable manner,” Tedros said. said. he said in a statement on Monday.
