5 May 2023 • The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Covid-19 no longer represents a global health emergency. This declaration comes three years after the virus was first declared a PHEIC. Officials note that the death rate has dropped from a peak of over 100,000 people per week to just over 3,500 as of April 24th. While this announcement represents a significant step towards ending the pandemic, WHO officials caution that the virus remains a significant threat, and the emergency status could be reinstated if the situation changes. The WHO stresses that individual countries must continue to manage Covid-19 in the way they think best. Despite vaccines being a turning point in the pandemic, more than 765 million confirmed Covid infections have been recorded worldwide. The WHO urges countries not to let down their guard and dismantle their protective systems.

Source: WHO | Read full story