COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency

The WHO Director-General says COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

This follows the fifteenth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus 2019 disease last week.

During the deliberative session, the Committee members highlighted the decreasing trend in COVID-19 deaths, the decline in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, and the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2.

The Committee’s position has been evolving over the last several months.

The WHO Director-General concurs with the advice offered by the Committee regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Director-General expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chair, the Members, and the Advisors of the Committee for their engagement and advice during the last three years.