Rafaela Prifti/
The World Health Organization declared an end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency. Although the officials were cautious to say that the pandemic is not over, the recommendation finalizes the status assigned to the COVID-19 – an inflammatory viral disease – that has claimed reportedly close to 7 million lives, disrupted the global economy and communities. The UN-agency declared the coronavirus crisis a “public health emergency of international concern” over three years ago on January 30, 2020. The status helped focus international attention on a global health threat, as well as funding of vaccines and strengthening collaboration across countries and governments. The decision to end the global health emergency status was supported by a majority of the WHO Emergency Committee.
The end of the emergency does not mean COVID is over as a global health threat, WHO officials warn. According to WHO data, the death rate averages to over 3,500 in the week in the last month. Ending the emergency could have an impact on international collaboration or funding efforts that could see a shift or as many have already done adapt with the long term presence of Covid.
The US domestic state of emergency for COVID officially ends on May 11. It has been announced that after that date the administration will stop paying for vaccines and testing and shift responsibility to the commercial market. Countries around the world have started moving towards a “routine management of COVID” the WHO officials said.