World Health Organisation says 'COVID-19 is not over anywhere until it’s over everywhere'

'COVID-19 is not over anywhere until it’s over everywhere', Tedros warns World Health Assembly

The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) told global health Ministers on Sunday that although reported COVID-19 cases and deaths have declined significantly, it is not time to lower the guard.

Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus delivered his message during the kick-off of the annual World Health Assembly – the decision-making body of WHO comprised of representatives of 194 countries.

Marking the first time since 2019 that the Assembly could take place in-person, he asked Ministers where the world stood two years into the most severe health crisis in a century.

"So, is COVID-19 over? No, it’s most certainly not over. I know that’s not the message you want to hear, and it’s definitely not the message I want to deliver," he highlighted.

He added that although in many countries all restrictions have been lifted and life looks much like it did before the pandemic, reported cases are increasing in almost 70 countries in all regions.

"The pandemic will not magically disappear. But we can end it. We have the knowledge. We have the tools. Science has given us the upper hand," he said, calling on countries to work together to reach 70 percent of vaccination coverage.

The seventy-fifth World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 22nd-28th May 2022, under the theme ''Health for peace, peace for health''. It is the first in-person Health Assembly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the meeting, country delegates make decisions on health goals and strategies that will guide public health work and the work of the WHO Secretariat to move the world towards better health and well-being for all.