The COVID-19 epidemic has killed over six million people over the past several years, and the world has never been in a better position to end it, the World Health Organization declared on Wednesday. 

At a virtual press conference WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "We are not there yet. But the end is in sight."

The virus first appeared in China in late 2019 and has ravaged the world′s economies and overwhelmed healthcare systems. 6.5 million people were killed and 606 million infected by the deadly virus.

The introduction of vaccines and treatments has assisted in reducing hospital admissions and deaths, and the Omicron form that surfaced late last year produces less severe disease. According to the U.N. organization, COVID-19 deaths this week were at their lowest since March 2020.

On Wednesday, the WHO Director-General urged nations to continue their vigilance, run harder, and ensure everyone benefits from the effort. He urged countries to examine their policies carefully, maintain sufficient stocks of medical supplies and healthcare personnel, tighten them to protect against future COVID-19 viruses, immunize their high-risk populations, and continue testing for the virus. 

According to a WHO spokesperson, views were shared by diffident experts. The following expert meeting is scheduled for October to determine whether the epidemic still qualifies as a public health emergency of worldwide significance. 

Dr. Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at Southampton University said that it is probably fair to say that the majority of the world has moved past the emergency stage of the pandemic response, and governments are now considering how to manage COVID as part of their routine healthcare and surveillance. (Reuters, September 15, 2022)