When was COVID declared no longer a pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 no longer a global health emergency on May 5, 2023. The decision was made after the WHO's International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee reviewed the latest data on the pandemic and concluded that it no longer meets the criteria for a PHEIC.

The PHEIC declaration was first made on January 30, 2020, after the WHO's IHR Emergency Committee determined that COVID-19 was a "public health emergency of international concern." The declaration allowed the WHO to take a coordinated global approach to the pandemic, including providing technical assistance to countries and mobilizing resources.

Over the past three years, the world has made significant progress in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccines have been developed and rolled out around the world, and treatments have become available. As a result, cases and deaths have declined significantly.

However, the WHO has warned that COVID-19 is still a threat, and that countries should continue to take measures to protect their populations. These measures include vaccination, testing, and treatment, as well as public health measures such as wearing masks and social distancing.

The end of the PHEIC declaration does not mean that the pandemic is over. COVID-19 is still circulating, and there is a risk of new variants emerging. However, the world is now better prepared to deal with the pandemic, and the WHO is confident that countries can continue to manage the virus effectively.

Here are some of the key factors that the WHO's IHR Emergency Committee considered when making its decision to end the PHEIC declaration:

* The number of new COVID-19 cases has been declining globally for several months.

* The number of deaths from COVID-19 has also been declining.

* Vaccines have been developed and rolled out around the world, and they are effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

* Treatments have become available for COVID-19, and they can help to reduce the severity of illness and the risk of death.

* Public health measures such as wearing masks and social distancing are being implemented in many countries.

The WHO's IHR Emergency Committee also considered the following factors when making its decision:

* The risk of new variants emerging.

* The risk of COVID-19 spreading to vulnerable populations, such as people who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised.

* The capacity of countries to manage the pandemic.

The WHO's decision to end the PHEIC declaration is a significant milestone in the fight against COVID-19. However, the pandemic is not over, and countries should continue to take measures to protect their populations.

Source: bard.google.com