GENEVA, Jan 24 The Committee of the World Health Organization will meet at this week to determine whether COVID-19 should remain a global pandemic, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing.
«Almost exactly 3 years after the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (pandemic — ed.), of our highest level of preparedness, the COVID-19 Emergency Committee will meet this week to discuss whether the current situation still constitutes a global emergency,» he said. He added that, without assuming what decision will be made, he remains concerned about the increase in the number of deaths and the situation in many countries.
As of January 15, 2023, more than 662 million confirmed cases of covid and more have been reported worldwide. 6.7 million deaths.
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) — official WHO declaration of an emergency event that has been identified as a public health risk to other states as a result of the international spread of a disease and potentially requiring a coordinated international response. Under the International Health Regulations 2005, states are required by law to respond promptly to PHEICs.