During a press conference held in Monrovia on Wednesday, Dr. Clement Peter, the Country Representative of the World Health Organization in Liberia, announced that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a public health emergency of international concern.
The International Health Regulation Emergency Committee on COVID-19 convened for the fifth time on May 4, 2023, and subsequently issued a statement on May 5, 2023, informing the WHO Director-General that the pandemic is no longer considered a global health concern.
Despite the global risk assessment of COVID-19 remaining high, Dr. Peter emphasized that there is evidence of reducing risks to human health.
The Committee based its decision on key criteria, including a decrease in COVID-19 deaths, a decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and ICU admissions, and the lack of association between circulating variants and increased disease severity.
Dr. Peter urged countries to maintain national capacity gains and prepare for future events to prevent a cycle of panic and neglect.
