On Friday, the World Health Organisation declared that COVID is no longer a global public health emergency. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the decision was made after considering the recommendations given by the emergency committee of the WHO. The 15th meeting of the emergency committee was convened on Thursday.

The WHO reserves the label of "public health emergency of international concern" for the most dangerous disease outbreaks. Since 2007, the organization has awarded the title to seven outbreaks, namely monkeypox, COVID, Zika, H1N1 flu, polio, and Ebola. Ebola has been declared an emergency of international concern twice.

According to WHO data, COVID fatalities have decreased substantially over the previous three months, from more than 41,000 weekly deaths at the beginning of January to roughly 3,500 on April 24, 2023. Dr. Tedros noted that the pandemic has been on a downward trend for more than a year, with an increase in hybrid immunity among the population due to vaccination and infection, a decrease in mortality rate, and reduced pressure on the health systems.

He explained that this trend has enabled most nations to resume life as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he also noted that last week, people were dying due to COVID every three minutes globally.

Additionally, he stated that this move is an indication that countries should focus on transitioning from emergency mode to managing COVID-19 alongside other infectious diseases. 

(Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna83046)