Five years ago on 31 December 2019, WHO’s Country Office in China picked up a media statement by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission from their website on cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, China. In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, COVID-19 came to shape our lives and our world.
At WHO, we went to work immediately as the new year dawned. WHO employees activated emergency systems on 1 January 2020, and informed the world on 4 January. By 9-12 January, WHO had published its first set of comprehensive guidance for countries, and on 13 January, we brought together partners to publish the blueprint of the first SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test.
All along, we convened experts and ministries of health from around the world, gathered and analysed data, and shared what was reported, what we learned and what it meant for people. Read about WHO’s actions in this interactive timeline.
As we mark this milestone, let’s take a moment to honour the lives changed and lost, recognize those who are suffering from COVID-19 and long COVID, express gratitude to the health workers who sacrificed so much to care for us, and commit to learning from COVID-19 to build a healthier tomorrow.
We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of COVID-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative. Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.
As we pose the question, “Is the world better prepared for the next pandemic than we were for COVID-19?” see WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s response at a recent press conference: https://who.canto.global/b/SHEJL
Five years ago, the world was facing a monumental challenge with the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This milestone marked a turning point in global health as countries scrambled to contain the outbreak and protect their citizens.
The rapid spread of the virus led to widespread lockdowns, travel restrictions, and a shift to remote work and learning. The healthcare system was strained to its limits as hospitals struggled to care for the influx of patients.
As we reflect on this milestone five years later, we can see the lasting impact that COVID-19 has had on our world. The pandemic has reshaped our daily lives, our economies, and our understanding of public health.
While progress has been made with the development of vaccines and treatments, the fight against COVID-19 is far from over. It serves as a reminder of the importance of global cooperation, preparedness, and resilience in the face of future health crises.
Let us use this milestone as a reminder of the challenges we have overcome and the work that still lies ahead in building a healthier, more resilient world.
Tags:
- COVID-19 anniversary
- Pandemic milestone
- Coronavirus update
- Historical pandemic
- COVID-19 reflection
- Five years since COVID-19
- Pandemic impact
- COVID-19 progress
- Pandemic history
- COVID-19 anniversary reflection
#Milestone #COVID19 #years
Leave a Reply