SWITZERLAND — The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an end to the global emergency status for COVID-19, more than three years after its initial declaration.

The Emergency Committee of the global health agency met and recommended the UN organization declare an end to the COVID crisis, which has been a “public health emergency of international concern” since January 30, 2020.

The COVID-19 death rate has decreased significantly, and widespread vaccination and availability of better treatments have contributed to the slowdown.

Although the emergency is over, the virus remains a global health threat, and countries must manage it alongside other infectious diseases.

During a press briefing, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared that the end of the emergency did not signify the end of COVID as a global health threat.

Some WHO members became emotional as they urged countries to reflect on the lessons learned during the pandemic.

The end of the emergency could mean that international collaboration and funding efforts will be brought to an end or shift in focus.

The WHO’s declaration comes just four months after China ended its prolonged severe COVID restrictions and was hit by a big surge in infections, suggesting that WHO advisers believe a new and more dangerous coronavirus variant is unlikely to emerge in the coming months, although the virus remains unpredictable.

In light of the WHO’s decision to end the COVID-19 global health emergency, some concerns have been raised regarding the potential consequences, such as a shift in focus or end of international collaboration and funding efforts.

While many countries have already adapted to the receding pandemic, some experts caution that the battle against COVID-19 is not over yet.

The COVID death rate has slowed from a peak of more than 100,000 people per week in January 2021 to just over 3,500 in the week to April 24, 2023, according to WHO data.

Despite a significant decline in the death rate due to increased vaccination rates and better treatments, the virus remains unpredictable, and there is a possibility of a resurgence in the future.

Moreover, as some countries like the U.S. and China begin to dismantle their domestic emergency measures, responsibility for COVID-19 prevention and control is shifting to the commercial market, raising questions about equity and accessibility.

In this context, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reassured the world that the organization would be vigilant and ready to convene another emergency committee should the need arise to protect public health.

The European Union also said in April last year that the emergency phase of the pandemic was over, and other regions have taken similar steps.

In many parts of the world, testing has dwindled significantly, and people have stopped wearing masks, although mask-wearing mandates have resumed in some countries during COVID outbreaks.

The WHO has published a plan to guide countries on how to live with COVID in the long term. However, COVID will continue to be a challenge to health systems worldwide long term, including long COVID.

Infectious disease experts have stated that COVID-19 remains a significant public health problem and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

WHO’s emergencies director Michael Ryan emphasizes that weaknesses in the system must be exposed and fixed.

“The battle is not over. We still have weaknesses and those weaknesses that we still have in our system will be exposed by this virus or another virus. And it needs to be fixed,” said Michael Ryan.

“In most cases, pandemics truly end when the next pandemic begins,” Ryan said.

WHO does not declare the beginning or end of pandemics, although it did start using the term for COVID in March 2020.

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