Covid-19: the WHO lifts its emergency alert level

On 4 May 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Committee lifted the maximum alert level for the Covid-19 pandemic.

Three years after its emergence, coronavirus is now considered a permanent health problem that requires long-term management, whereas since January 2020 it was classified as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

This decision was motivated by the decline in the number of deaths due to Covid-19, the decrease in hospital and intensive care unit admissions, and the high population immunity induced by the infection and/or vaccination .

According to WHO, lifting the (PHEIC) does not mean that the pandemic is over. This potential termination should not affect access to vaccines and diagnostics.