COVID-19 global health emergency is over: WHO

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday announced the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a global health emergency.

"Yesterday, the Emergency Committee met for the 15th time and recommended to me that I declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice," WHO head Tedros Ghebreyesus told a press briefing.

"It is, therefore, with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency," Ghebreyesus said.

However, that does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global health threat, he added.

Since the pandemic began in Dec. 2019, the COVID-19 infection has caused nearly 7 million deaths, according to the WHO.

The WHO has also recorded 765.222.932 confirmed cases of the disease.

The pandemic was declared public health emergency of international concern on Jan. 30, 2020.