Five years after the start of covid-19, the virus continues to infect and cause fatalities worldwide, albeit at reduced levels compared to the peak of the pandemic.
Examine the present circumstances.
“It remains with us.”
Approximately 777 million cases of covid and over seven million deaths have been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) since the initial infections emerged in December 2019.
The actual figures are believed to be significantly greater.
The pandemic impacted healthcare systems, disrupted economies, and confined populations in various countries to lockdown.
In the latter part of 2022, there was a decline in infection rates and deaths as immunity from vaccines or past infections increased. The virus underwent mutations, leading to milder symptoms.
The WHO announced the end of the pandemic emergency phase in May 2023.
Experts suggest that the virus has slowly become established over time, showing sporadic flare-ups akin to the flu but with less seasonality.
It was also vanishing from public view.
“The global population desires to move on from this virus, which continues to exist. Many individuals wish to put the pandemic behind them, almost as if it has concluded, and in various ways, act as if it never occurred, as it was highly distressing,” stated Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization’s director for Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, last month.
Between October and November of last year, more than 3,000 deaths attributed to covid occurred in 27 countries, as reported by the WHO.
Over 95% of the fatalities attributed to Covid were reported between 2020 and 2022.
Variants – Different Versions
Since the emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021, a series of its subvariants have become the prevailing strains globally.
Currently, the KP.3.1.1 variant of the virus is the most prevalent.
The new XEC strain is the sole “variant under surveillance” by the WHO, with the UN health organization deeming its worldwide health threat as minimal.
None of the following variations of the micron variant proved to be significantly more severe than others, though experts caution that there is a possibility of future strains being more contagious or deadly.
Vaccinations and therapies –
Covid vaccines were created quickly and proven to be effective against the virus, with over 13.6 billion doses given globally.
The wealthy nations purchased significant amounts in advance, leading to an uneven distribution globally.
Some countries still advise increased booster shots for the JN.1 subvariant of the micron, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
The WHO reports that many individuals, including older adults, do not have the latest booster shots.
Even within the healthcare field, the confiscation of extra doses was below 1% in 2024, as reported by the WHO.
Covid long-term effects
Millions of individuals experienced long-term effects from long covid, a condition that persists for months following the initial infection and is not fully understood.
The typical signs include fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath.
Approximately 6% of individuals who contract the coronavirus experience long covid, according to a recent report by the WHO, which also stated that this condition remains a substantial burden on healthcare systems.
Many aspects of long covid are still not understood, with no established tests or treatments available. Having multiple covid infections seems to raise the risk of developing this condition.
Future outbreaks?
Scientists are cautioning that a new pandemic could emerge sooner or later, emphasizing the importance of global readiness based on the lessons learned from Covid-19.
Attention has recently shifted to the avian flu (H5N1) following the first human death caused by the virus in the United States on Monday.
The individual, who was from Louisiana, had preexisting health issues and became infected with H5N1 after coming into contact with infected birds, according to U.S. health officials, who highlighted the lack of evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Since the conclusion of 2021, WHO Member States have engaged in groundbreaking discussions for a global treaty addressing the prevention, preparedness, and response to pandemics.
An agreement was difficult to reach before the final deadline in May, with a significant difference between the most advanced countries and the poorest, who were concerned about being left behind in the event of a new pandemic.
During the Covid pandemic, there was a significant rise in doubt and false information regarding vaccines.
Experts in the United States caution against the dangers of having Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for promoting skepticism about vaccines and conspiracy theories, as the head of the nation’s pandemic response for the next four years, following his appointment by President Donald Trump.