CORONAVIRUS INFLUENZA, sars-COV2 AND ORV PANDEMIC AGREEMENT PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS
Following an outbreak of a novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China, rapid community, regional and international spread has occurred with exponential growth in cases and deaths. On 30 January 2020, the Director-General (DG) of WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005). The first case in the Americas was confirmed in the USA on 20 January 2020 and Brazil reported the first case for Latin America and the Caribbean on 26 February 2020. Since then, COVID-19 has spread to 50 countries and territories in the Americas.
On 4 May 2023, the WHO Director-General concurred with the advice offered by the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
However, COVID-19 still represents a global health threat. We should not let down our guard, is important to keep vaccinating vulnerable groups and strengthen surveillance. It is also time to focus on preparing better for future emergencies and rebuilding better for a healthier and sustainable future. View WHO statement
Highlights
WHO Member States agreed to establish a future pandemic agreement
WHO Member States agreed to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a new convention, agreement, or other international health instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The instrument is expected to help ensure that health personnel worldwide are better equipped for the next pandemic, and that the production and distribution of vaccines and other medical products is more equitable. It also aims to ensure effective early detection and response measures against potential pandemic pathogens, and to improve the response capabilities of health, laboratory and research services, among other objectives.
This Member State-led process is facilitated through the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (WGIHR), which runs in parallel to the INB.
PAHO has convened two Regional meetings to to ensure that the most relevant national authorities are adequately informed regarding the INB and WGIHR key components, documents, deliberations, expected results, and to offer Member States elements for a meaningful participation in both processes.
PAHO's Response to the COVID-19 in the Region of the Americas
As the specialized health agency for the Americas and the Regional Office of the World Health Organization, PAHO provided essential leadership, coordination, and assistance to fight the spread of COVID-19, save lives, and protect the most vulnerable population groups -including health workers- in all 51 countries and territories of the Region.
Take a look at some of the ways PAHO/WHO is responding to the COVID-19 in the Americas.
Report of the External Evaluation of PAHO’s Response to COVID-19
An independent evaluation was commissioned to assess the Pan American Sanitary Bureau’s overall performance between January 2020 and August 2022 regarding its preparedness for and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final report of this external evaluation presented eight evidence-based recommendations for action to strengthen PAHO’s future response to health emergencies.
Read this 2-page document highlighting key findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
Action Plan for Implementation of Recommendations from the Evaluation of PAHO's Response to COVID-19. IREP-C19
The proposed plan includes the methodology, key actions, expected results, and responsible entities for implementing these recommendations. Consult the Action Plan from the Implementation of Recommendations from the Evaluation on PAHO’s Response to COVID-19 (IREP-C19) for further details.
The IREP-C19 Action Plan results from coordinating subgroup leads, co-leads, and focal points’ active participation and contribution across the Organization.
PAHO Emergency Appeal 2023
The prolonged COVID-19 crisis exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities and worsened cumulative humanitarian needs throughout the Region, fueling some of the main drivers of internal displacement and migration. PAHO’s Health Emergencies Appeal 2023 highlights the regional priorities of the Organization to support the protection of communities and populations affected by acute, prolonged, and protracted health emergencies throughout the Americas, starting with individuals in situations of vulnerability.
For more information on how to donate and progress on partners' contributions, click here
From emergency response to long-term COVID-19 disease management: sustaining gains made during the COVID-19 pandemic
Regional COVID-19 Data
Important: PAHO/WHO has stopped collecting country and subnational-level COVID-19 data as of 1 August 2023 and therefore our dashboard will no longer be updated. Public health officers and the international community will continue to be informed through the Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses bulletin and dashboards available here.
Comparison and interpretation of subsequent COVID-19 data should be consulted with the Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses technical area. To locate historical data, please visit the previous Regional Situation Reports and the Health Emergencies Dashboards webpages.
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