The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Biden administration both said this week that COVID-19 is still a global health emergency, even as global deaths from the virus have reached the lowest levels since the pandemic began.
Global COVID deaths totaled more than 22,000 for the week ended April 10, according to the WHO's latest data, marking the lowest level since March 30, 2020. The WHO and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) both separately declared the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus a public health emergency in January 2020, a little over a month after the virus was identified Wuhan, China.
Now, more than two years later, global death and hospitalization rates are beginning to improve, due in part to the distribution of highly effective vaccines in many parts of the world. However, health experts warn that the virus still remains a public health threat and the current situation can change if nations stop actively monitoring the virus.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing on Wednesday that declining COVID deaths is positive news, but "some countries are still witnessing serious spikes in cases, which is putting pressure on hospital." Moreover, the WHO's ability to monitor viral trends has been "compromised" as testing in many parts of the world has been reduced following the rollout of vaccines, Tedros said.
"Far from being the time to drop our guard, this is the moment to work even harder to save lives," Tedros continued. "Specifically, this means investing so that COVID-19 tools are equitably distributed, and we simultaneously strengthen health systems."
A WHO committee unanimously agreed to continue designating COVID as a public health emergency, Tedros said, adding that this decision stems from recent trends of rising infection rates in some areas of Europe and China.
"This virus has overtime become more transmissible and it remains deadly especially for the unprotected and vaccines that don't have access to healthcare and antivirals," he added.
In the United States, the HHS on Tuesday extended the nation's public health emergency declaration for COVID for the next 90 days. This will allow the continued use of federal funding for tools like tests and vaccines.
The White House also extended the nationwide face mask requirement for public transportation for another 15 days from when it was set to expire, meaning travellers will need to wear a mask in airports, planes, buses and trains until at least May 3.