WHO declares end of global emergency due to Covid-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the end of the global health emergency due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19.

“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. I’ve accepted that advice,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said on Friday.

I have made that decision, but with caution, and if the global epidemiological situation changes, I will not hesitate to declare an emergency again, the WHO chief warned.

In March, Adhanom said that at some point this year the Covid-19 pandemic would cease to be a public health emergency of international concern.

It meant that the world is in a much better position now than at any time during the pandemic.

The WHO head stressed the need to learn from the lessons left behind by the pandemic because, otherwise, the cycle of panic and neglect that has been the hallmark of the global response to epidemics and pandemics for decades will be repeated.

He assured that to live in a safer world, public health is needed, having strong health systems, continuing the tracing efforts, and guaranteeing solid primary care.