Officials from the World Health Organization say COVID-19 has moved out of pandemic status. The director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced the change after the organization’s emergency committee conducted a thorough review of data and risk levels. The group met again recently and offered guidance that supported ending the public health emergency tied to the coronavirus. The announcement was shared through the WHO YouTube channel.
Ghebreyesus expressed a mix of relief and cautious optimism, stating that COVID-19 is no longer designated as a public health emergency. He also reminded audiences that the end of the emergency designation does not erase danger: last week the virus continued to claim lives, with patients still needing intensive care and many people living with long-term effects. The virus continues to mutate, and vigilance remains essential for public health systems and communities alike.
Authorities emphasize that while the official emergency status has been lifted, the global toll remains significant. Official tallies show millions of deaths attributed to COVID-19, though experts caution that the actual number could be higher due to unreported cases. The World Health Organization notes the death toll reflects both reported and unreported occurrences across regions. In its latest update, the organization places the known death count in the millions, while acknowledging substantial uncertainty about the true scale in some areas.
COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020. Since that time, global health authorities have observed more than 1,150 days of ongoing impact, with hundreds of millions of infections recorded. In some countries, including Russia, estimates suggest tens of millions of identified cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. These figures incorporate both confirmed cases and those that go unreported, highlighting the broader impact on health systems and societies. The shift away from pandemic status follows a period of stabilization in many regions, even as new variants and local outbreaks continue to occur.
During the briefing, Ghebreyesus highlighted three key lessons drawn from the pandemic. First, a robust public health infrastructure is vital for suppressing viral spread. He noted that nations with strong outbreak response practices, including lower-income countries, demonstrated resilience and adaptation. Second, science played a central role in advancing treatments and vaccines at a remarkable pace. Third, international cooperation remains essential to address a crisis that affected borders and required coordinated action rather than isolated efforts. These lessons are guiding ongoing improvements in preparedness and response frameworks worldwide.
The origin of the virus remains a topic of ongoing inquiry. Early reports point to December 2019 as the time when cases of severe pneumonia emerged in Wuhan, China, with health workers facing unusual respiratory illnesses. Since then, various governments have proposed different explanations regarding origins and transmission pathways. The debate continues among international health bodies, researchers, and policymakers, as scientists pursue a clearer understanding of how the outbreak began and how similar events can be prevented in the future.
Economic disruption has been a major consequence of the pandemic. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, and interruptions to trade and health services impacted global growth. Energy markets and supply chains experienced volatility as demand shifted and operations slowed. Governments implemented measures that reshaped daily life and business activities, while many sectors adapted to new norms across work, transportation, and healthcare delivery. The broader economic landscape remains a focal point for policy makers as they balance public health gains with renewed economic activity.
Amid the clinical and economic fallout, the pandemic also amplified misinformation. Myths about vaccines, surveillance, and technology circulated widely. Public health authorities emphasize turning to credible sources and verified data to protect communities and reduce the spread of false information. In this moment, accurate, transparent communication remains a cornerstone of effective public health strategy, helping people make informed decisions and trust the guidance issued by health authorities. Attribution: World Health Organization