Weekly numbers - As of 20 May 2023. 12:00 (EST)
192,894,892
Cumulative cases
173,891
Additional cases
2,954,027
Cumulative deaths
494
Additional deaths
Yesterday, the Emergency Committee met for the 15th time and recommended to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director, to declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern. He has accepted that advice.
However, that does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global health threat. Last week, COVID-19 claimed a life every three minutes. "What this news means is that it is time for countries to transition from emergency mode to managing COVID-19 alongside other infectious diseases" Dr. Tedros highlighted.
Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization, welcomed Dr. Tedros's decision to accept the Emergency Committee's recommendation to end the COVID-19 public health emergency.
"We should not let down our guard, 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." Dr. Barbosa, highlighted.
As the specialized health agency for the Americas and the Regional Office of the World Health Organization, PAHO is providing 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.
This document outlines PAHO’s regional response strategies for 2022 to reduce and control the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and reduce the risk of future variants, disease morbidity, mortality, and long-term consequences of infections to a minimum. It also includes the financial requirements for the implementation of the strategy from April 2022 to March 2023.
This mid-year report (January-June 2022) summarizes the Pan American Health Organization's main efforts to support countries and territories in the Americas to detect, track, treat and slow the spread of COVID-19, as well as to facilitate vaccine procurement and deployment within the ten pillars of WHO's Strategic Preparedness and Response Strategy.