International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee issues statement on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

 International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee issues statement on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

The World Health Organization announced today that the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic released its latest report, stating that the risk of international spread of the virus appears to have decreased, though it does remain present in several countries and continues to spread within those countries.

Summary of key points

• 1. The International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee met for the twelfth time on October 5th, 2020 to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
• 2. The committee reviewed the latest data and information and noted that there has been an increase in cases and deaths in recent weeks, particularly in Europe and the Americas. 
• 3. The committee emphasized the need for all countries to maintain or increase their levels of preparedness and response, including strengthening surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control measures, and communications with the public.

Key message

The International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee met for the twelfth time on Wednesday, 8 July 2022, to review the status of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and make recommendations. The Committee noted that the pandemic continues to spread geographically, with cases now reported in 188 countries and territories. The total number of confirmed cases is now over 7 million, with over 400,000 deaths reported. While some countries have been successful in slowing the spread of the virus, the overall trend is still one of increasing transmission. The Committee urged all countries to intensify their response efforts and implement a comprehensive approach to contain the virus. The Committee will continue to monitor the situation closely and will meet again as needed.

Recommendations

The International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee issued the following recommendations: 

1. That all countries should enhance surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), including by testing for COVID-19, and share data with WHO; 

2. That countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19 should inform WHO immediately; 

3. That countries should review and update their national plans for managing outbreaks of SARS and MERS, taking into account lessons learned from the current outbreak; 

4. That countries should intensify efforts to detect, diagnose and care for patients with COVID-19, including through establishing dedicated treatment facilities; 

5. That countries should protect health care workers by implementing standard infection prevention and control measures;

Footnotes

1. The Director-General declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020. 2. On 9 February, the Director-General convened the first meeting of the IHR (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of COVID-19. 3. On 14 February, the Director-General reconvened the Committee and accepted its advice to declare a PHEIC. 4. On 11 March, the Director-General reconvened the Committee and accepted its advice to maintain the PHEIC declaration. 5. On 16 March, WHO issued temporary recommendations under the IHR (2005) to help countries prepare for and respond to COVID-19. 6.