The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Covid-19 is no longer a “global health emergency”.
Freepik Author: medical editor Ekaterina Mazeina 1 minute
WHO officials said the death rate from the virus had dropped from a peak of over 100,000 people a week in January 2021 to just over 3,500 on April 24. The pandemic has killed at least seven million people. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the true figure was “probably” closer to 20 million deaths – nearly three times the official estimate – and warned that the virus remains a serious threat.
“The Emergency Committee met yesterday for the 15th time and recommended that I declare an end to a public health emergency of international concern. I accepted this advice. Therefore, it is with great hope that I declare Covid-19 ended. global health emergency,” said Dr. Tedros.
He also added that the decision had been carefully considered for some time and based on a thorough analysis of the data. And he warned that the cancellation of the highest level of alert does not mean that the danger has passed, and the emergency status can be restored if the situation changes.