Thread by @mvankerkhove

So where exactly are we now in the #COVID19 pandemic and where are we going?

Long thread ⬇️
@DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @WHO

3 years ago @WHO described the situation of #COVID19 as a pandemic, but it was 6 weeks earlier - on 30Jan20 - that @DrTedros declared the evolving situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), our highest alarm to the world.

https://twitter.com/who/status/1355453840699645956?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA

From 1 Jan 20 to that point, @WHO had issued EISs, DONs, comprehensive technical guidance, a global strategy to suppress transmission & save lives, sent officials to China to learn, started daily pressers warning the world to take action in the hope we could prevent a pandemic…

In addition, @WHO had published the first PCR test methodology so that the world could start testing and caring for patients, a report of the Feb 2020 WHO-China Mission…

who.int/publications/i…

Here is a timeline of other actions of WHO…

who.int/news-room/spot…

… unfortunately, too few listened… and too few took enough action to limit the spread, get hospitals ready for patients, increase supplies, warn their populations…

https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove/status/1353049304806645760?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA

Around this time three years ago, the world woke up to the seriousness of #COVID19, to stay at home orders, to life - as we had known it - changed…

We have all been impacted by the #COVID19 pandemic, we are all different, and we cannot go “back” to the way it was, we need to make our futures better…

I know the world wants so desperately for the #COVID19 pandemic to be over. I do too. But we aren’t done yet and this virus isn’t done with us yet. It is here to stay and we can do more to protect everyone, everywhere…

covid19.who.int

People are dying from #COVID19 every day, people are suffering from Post-COVID-19 (#LongCOVID) condition, health systems are strained, workforce is exhausted…

... #COVID19 medications are not available in far too many places, #COVID-19 vaccination rates are too low among populations who are at the highest risk of severe disease in all countries around the world, especially in low and middle income countries…

So where exactly are we now in the #COVID19 pandemic and where are we going?

Well into the 4th year of the pandemic, we are still in a PHEIC & a pandemic, though we are in a MUCH better situation thanks to the hard work of so many to reduce the impact of #COVID19 using…

…available tools like masks, personal protective equipment, ventilation, tests, treatments, vaccines…

We can, and I believe we will, end the emergency of #COVID19 this year…

https://twitter.com/whowpro/status/1628641775828221958?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA

This doesn’t mean the fight is over. We need to remain vigilant because we are all still at risk, because

The impact of COVID-19 is still high
The virus continues to evolve and has not settled into a predictable nor seasonal pattern
Access to life-saving tools is not equitable…

…and because we still have approx 10,000 deaths a week. Deaths reached 40,000 a week a few weeks ago. This is 10,000-40,000 too many when we can prevent them…

We can live our lives and, at the same time, take steps to reduce our risk of infection. We must bc the virus is circulating unchecked. The risk of severe disease exists particularity for those not vaccinated or not boosted (as recommended). The risk of future variants exists…

We know so much more about this virus and #COVID19, but not everything. The risk and extent of Post COVID-19 condition, e.g., is significant. When we talk about burden we must also talk about and address #LongCOVID, in addition to hospitalisation & deaths
who.int/teams/health-c…

We have to maintain surveillance, sequencing, sharing data to track #SARSCoV2 known #Omicron variants and detect new ones…

https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove/status/1630684545405140995?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA

As individuals, we can protect ourselves by taking simple measures: vaccinate, mask, ventilate, clean hands, stay home if unwell, test and seek treatment, share good information, help others, etc…

https://twitter.com/mrigankshail/status/1628552327459180544?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA

Governments need to be vigilant. Do not let down your guard. Do not dismantle systems.

Strengthen systems to be agile. Maintain/sustain what you’ve enhanced for #COVID19 (surveillance, clinical care, testing, sequencing, IPC, vaccination etc)…

https://twitter.com/who/status/1614552753656991744?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA

… Tackle the #Infodemic, build trust and address misinformation, disinformation and politicization…

https://twitter.com/who/status/1618264428558028800?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA

… continue to work together, support @WHO and SAGO to better understand the start of this pandemic …

https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove/status/1633417544341114881?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA

https://twitter.com/mvankerkhove/status/1633417544341114881

…because work we have done, the systems that have been enhanced during #COVID19, are also critical for influenza, RSV, Ebola, Marburg, #mpox, Chikungunya, other known pathogens and the next disease X.

Responding to COVID is pandemic preparedness for the future…

While all countries are in different situations, @WHO is working with all governments around the world through this period where we are ending the #COVID19 global emergency in all countries and with them to adjust systems for longer-term integrated disease management and control.

We will get there…. and we use the trauma and pain of the last three plus years to do better the next time.

@WHO will be there with you every step of the way.

https://twitter.com/who/status/1631770144056700934?s=61&t=8VMlEALgJFK30YFo3pQPnA