COVID-19 pandemic Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == History == {{For timeline}} {{further|Pandemic prevention|Pandemic predictions and preparations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic}} === 2019 === {{Main|Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019}} The [[outbreak]] was discovered in Wuhan in November 2019. It is possible that human-to-human transmission was happening before the discovery.<ref name="Hu2020natureReviews" /><ref name="Graham2020immunity" /> Based on a retrospective analysis starting from December 2019, the number of cases in Hubei gradually increased, reaching 60 by 20 December and at least 266 by 31 December.<ref name="original_report" /> A [[pneumonia]] cluster was observed on 26 December and treated by Chinese pulmonologist [[Zhang Jixian]]. She informed the Wuhan Jianghan CDC on 27 December.<ref name="D54YB">{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Lu|first1=Zikang (路子康)|script-title=zh:最早上报疫情的她，怎样发现这种不一样的肺炎|url=https://news.china.com/zw/news/13000776/20200209/37780703.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302165302/https://news.china.com/zw/news/13000776/20200209/37780703.html|archive-date=2 March 2020|access-date=11 February 2020|location=Beijing|language=zh-cn|script-website=zh:中国网新闻}}</ref> After analyzing pneumonia patient samples, a genetic sequencing company named Vision Medicals reported the discovery of a [[novel coronavirus]] to the [[Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention|China CDC]] (CCDC) on 28 December.<ref name="AP OR">{{#invoke:cite news|| url=https://apnews.com/article/3c061794970661042b18d5aeaaed9fae|title=China delayed releasing coronavirus info, frustrating WHO|date=2 June 2020|work=Associated Press|access-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025163939/https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-health-ap-top-news-virus-outbreak-public-health-3c061794970661042b18d5aeaaed9fae |archive-date=25 October 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="caixintrace">{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Gao |first1=Yu (高昱) |script-title=zh:独家 {{!}} 新冠病毒基因测序溯源：警报是何时拉响的|trans-title=Exclusive {{!}} Tracing the New Coronavirus gene sequencing: when did the alarm sound|work=[[Caixin]]|date=26 February 2020|language=zh|url=https://china.caixin.com/2020-02-26/101520972.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227094018/https://china.caixin.com/2020-02-26/101520972.html|archive-date=27 February 2020|access-date=1 March 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 30 December, a test report from CapitalBio Medlab addressed to Wuhan Central Hospital reported an erroneous positive result for [[SARS]], causing doctors there to alert authorities. Eight of those doctors, including [[Li Wenliang]] (who was also punished on 3 January), were later admonished by the police for spreading false rumours. Director of the Emergency Department at the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Ai Fen, was also reprimanded.<ref name="siStf" /><ref name="20200311theguardian">{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/11/coronavirus-wuhan-doctor-ai-fen-speaks-out-against-authorities |title=Coronavirus: Wuhan doctor speaks out against authorities | vauthors = Kuo L |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=11 March 2020 }}</ref> That evening, Wuhan Municipal Health Commission (WMHC) issued a notice about "the treatment of pneumonia of unknown cause".<ref name="promedmail6864153">{{#invoke:cite news || title=Undiagnosed pneumonia – China (HU): RFI |url=https://promedmail.org/promed-post/?id=6864153 |newspaper=Promed-Mail |publisher=ProMED |date=30 December 2019|access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> The next day, WMHC made the announcement public, confirming 27 cases<ref name="AutoDW-69" /><ref name="AutoDW-68" />—enough to trigger an investigation.<ref name="bbc50984025" /> On 31 December, the WHO office in China was notified about the cluster of unknown pneumonia cases<ref name="WHO report">{{#invoke:cite web || title=Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) SITUATION REPORT – 1 |url=https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200121-sitrep-1-2019-ncov.pdf |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=7 June 2021 |date=20 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="AutoDW-69" /> and immediately launched an investigation.<ref name="bbc50984025" /> Official Chinese sources claimed that the early cases were mostly linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which also sold live animals.<ref name="characteristicsZH" /> In May 2020, CCDC director George Gao initially ruled out the market as a possible origin, as animal samples collected there had tested negative.<ref name="ALmAQ">{{#invoke:cite news ||url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-rules-out-animal-market-and-lab-as-coronavirus-origin-11590517508 |title=China Rules Out Animal Market and Lab as Coronavirus Origin | vauthors = Areddy JT |date=26 May 2020 |access-date=29 May 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> === 2020 === {{Hatnote|Timelines of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 by month: [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020|January]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020|February]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020|March]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020|April]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020|May]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020|June]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020|July]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020|August]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020|September]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2020|October]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020|November]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020|December]]}} [[File:COVID-19 highway sign in Toronto, March 2020.jpg|thumb|A highway sign discouraging travel in [[Toronto]] in March 2020]] On 11 January, WHO was notified by the Chinese National Health Commission that the outbreak was associated with exposures in the market, and that China had identified a new type of coronavirus, which it isolated on 7 January.<ref name="WHO report" /> Initially, the number of cases doubled approximately every seven and a half days.<ref name="Qun29Jan2020" /> In early and mid-January, the virus spread to other [[Provinces of China|Chinese provinces]], helped by the [[Chunyun|Chinese New Year migration]]. Wuhan was a transport hub and major rail interchange.<ref name="WHO report 28 February 2020" /> On 10 January, the virus' genome was shared publicly.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Enserink |first1=Martin |title=Dispute simmers over who first shared SARS-CoV-2's genome |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/dispute-simmers-over-who-first-shared-sars-cov-2-s-genome |access-date=20 May 2023 |work=Science |date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230330125412/https://www.science.org/content/article/dispute-simmers-over-who-first-shared-sars-cov-2-s-genome |archive-date=30 March 2023 }}</ref> A retrospective study published in March found that 6,174 people had reported symptoms by 20 January.<ref name="Epidemiology17Feb2020" /> A 24 January report indicated human transmission was likely occurring, and recommended [[personal protective equipment]] for health workers. It also advocated testing, given the outbreak's "pandemic potential".<ref name="Huang24Jan2020" /><ref name="Horton 18 March" /> On 31 January, the first published modelling study warned of inevitable "independent self-sustaining outbreaks in major cities globally" and called for "large-scale public health interventions."<ref name="pmid32014114">{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Wu JT, Leung K, Leung GM | title = Nowcasting and forecasting the potential domestic and international spread of the 2019-nCoV outbreak originating in Wuhan, China: a modelling study | journal = Lancet | volume = 395 | issue = 10225 | pages = 689–697 | date = February 2020 | pmid = 32014114 | pmc = 7159271 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30260-9 }}</ref> On 30 January, 7,818 infections had been confirmed, leading WHO to declare the outbreak a [[Public Health Emergency of International Concern]] (PHEIC).<ref name="WHO_PHEICSR">{{#invoke:cite web || date=30 January 2020|title=Novel Coronavirus(2019-nCoV): Situation Report – 10|url=https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200130-sitrep-10-ncov.pdf|access-date=14 October 2020|publisher=[[World Health Organization]] (WHO)}}</ref><ref name="WHO_PHEIC_decl2" /><ref>{{#invoke:cite journal ||last1=Durrheim |first1=David N |last2=Gostin |first2=Laurence O |last3=Moodley |first3=Keymanthri |title=When does a major outbreak become a Public Health Emergency of International Concern? |journal=The Lancet Infectious Diseases |date=August 2020 |volume=20 |issue=8 |pages=887–889 |doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30401-1 |pmid=32442526 |pmc=7237181 }}</ref> On 11 March, WHO announced its assessment that the situation could be characterized as a pandemic.<ref name=start>{{cite web |publisher=Word Health Organization |url=https://www.who.int/news/item/27-04-2020-who-timeline---covid-19 |title=Archived: WHO Timeline - COVID-19 |date=27 April 2020 |access-date=7 March 2024 |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429012212/https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/27-04-2020-who-timeline---covid-19 |url-status=live }}</ref> By 31 January, Italy indicated its first confirmed infections had occurred, in two tourists from China.<ref name="Corriere_20Jan"/> On 19 March, Italy overtook China as the country with the most reported deaths.<ref name="sky11960412">{{#invoke:cite web || title=Coronavirus: Number of COVID-19 deaths in Italy surpasses China as total reaches 3,405 |url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-number-of-covid-19-deaths-in-italy-surpasses-china-as-total-reaches-3-405-11960412 |publisher=Sky News |access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> By 26 March, the United States had overtaken China and Italy as the country with the highest number of confirmed infections.<ref name="NYT-20200326" /> Genomic analysis indicated that the majority of [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)|New York]]'s confirmed infections came from Europe, rather than directly from Asia.<ref name="20200408nytimes">{{#invoke:cite news ||title=Studies Show N.Y. Outbreak Originated in Europe |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/coronavirus-live-updates.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=8 April 2020}}</ref> Testing of prior samples revealed a person who was infected in France on 27 December 2019<ref name="France-retest">{{#invoke:cite news ||title=After retesting samples, French hospital discovers COVID-19 case from December |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-idUSKBN22G20L | vauthors = Irish J |date=4 May 2020 | veditors = Lough R, Graff P |work=Reuters |access-date=4 May 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Deslandes 2020">{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Deslandes A, Berti V, Tandjaoui-Lambotte Y, Alloui C, Carbonnelle E, Zahar JR, Brichler S, Cohen Y | title = SARS-CoV-2 was already spreading in France in late December 2019 | journal = International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents | volume = 55 | issue = 6 | page = 106006 | date = June 2020 | pmid = 32371096 | pmc = 7196402 | doi = 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106006 }}</ref> and a person in the United States who died from the disease on 6{{nbsp}}February.<ref name="PBS-2wks">{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Bean |first1=Adam |title=2 died with coronavirus weeks before 1st U.S. virus death |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/2-died-with-coronavirus-weeks-before-1st-u-s-virus-death |access-date=29 May 2023 |work=PBS NewsHour |date=22 April 2020 }}</ref> [[File:Covid-19 San Salvatore 09.jpg|thumb|An exhausted [[Anesthesiology|anesthesiologist]] in [[Pesaro]], Italy, March 2020]] In October, WHO reported that one in ten people around the world may have been infected, or 780 million people, while only 35 million infections had been confirmed.<ref name="bbc_oneinten">{{#invoke:cite news||date=5 October 2020|title=One in 10 worldwide may have had Covid – WHO|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-54422023|access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref> On 9 November, Pfizer released trial results for a candidate vaccine, showing a 90 percent effectiveness in preventing infection. That day, Novavax submitted an FDA Fast Track application for their vaccine.<ref name="FEv4C">{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Boseley S, Olterman P |date=9 November 2020|title=Covid-19 vaccine candidate is 90% effective, says Pfizer|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/09/covid-19-vaccine-candidate-effective-pfizer-biontech|access-date=9 November 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="NPZ5P">{{#invoke:cite news|| vauthors = Linnane C |title=Novavax wins FDA fast track designation for COVID-19 vaccine candidate|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/novavax-wins-fda-fast-track-designation-for-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-2020-11-09|access-date=9 November 2020|website=MarketWatch}}</ref> On 14 December, [[Public Health England]] reported that a variant had been discovered in the UK's southeast, predominantly in [[Kent]]. The variant, later named [[Variant of Concern 202012/01|Alpha]], showed changes to the [[coronavirus spike protein|spike protein]] that could make the virus more infectious. As of 13 December, 1,108 infections had been confirmed in the UK.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web || title=PHE investigating a novel strain of COVID-19|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/phe-investigating-a-novel-strain-of-covid-19|website=GOV.UK|date=14 December 2020|access-date=15 December 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Le Page |first1=Michael |last2=McNamara |first2=Alexander |title=Alpha covid-19 variant (B.1.1.7) |url=https://www.newscientist.com/definition/uk-covid-19-variant-b-1-1-7/ |access-date=29 May 2023 |work=New Scientist}}</ref> On 4 February 2020, US Secretary of Health and Human Services [[Alex Azar]] waived liability for vaccine manufacturers in all cases except those involving "willful misconduct".<ref name="mXTUz">{{#invoke:cite web||date=4 February 2020|title=Notice of Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for medical countermeasures against COVID-19|url=https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/prepact/Pages/COVID19.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425015411/https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/prepact/Pages/COVID19.aspx|archive-date=25 April 2020|access-date=22 April 2020|vauthors=Azar A}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Sigalos |first1=MacKenzie |title=You can't sue Pfizer or Moderna if you have severe Covid vaccine side effects. The government likely won't compensate you for damages either |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/16/covid-vaccine-side-effects-compensation-lawsuit.html |access-date=29 May 2023 |work=CNBC |date=17 December 2020 }}</ref> === 2021 === {{Hatnote|Timelines of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 by month: [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2021|January]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2021|February]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2021|March]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2021|April]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2021|May]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2021|June]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2021|July]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2021|August]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2021|September]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2021|October]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2021|November]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2021|December]]}} On 2 January, the [[SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant|Alpha]] variant, first discovered in the UK, had been identified in 33 countries.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web || vauthors = Hauck G |title=More contagious COVID-19 strain identified in 3 states and 33 countries: What to know |date= 15 January 2021 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/01/02/new-covid-strain-b-117-explained/4112125001/ |website=USA Today |access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref> On 6 January, the [[Lineage P.1|Gamma variant]] was first identified in Japanese travellers returning from Brazil.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web || title=Genomic characterisation of an emergent SARS-CoV-2 lineage in Manaus: preliminary findings |url=https://virological.org/t/genomic-characterisation-of-an-emergent-sars-cov-2-lineage-in-manaus-preliminary-findings/586 |website=Virological |access-date=6 May 2021 |date=12 January 2021}}</ref> On 29 January, it was reported that the Novavax vaccine was 49 percent effective against the [[SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant|Beta]] variant in a clinical trial in South Africa.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Nedelman M |title=South Carolina detects first US cases of coronavirus strain first seen in South Africa |date=28 January 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/28/health/south-carolina-variant-south-africa/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news || vauthors = Johnson CY |title=Novavax vaccine protects against coronavirus in variant hot spots but proved less effective against strain in South Africa |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/28/covid-vaccine-variant-south-africa/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref> The [[CoronaVac vaccine]] was reported to be 50.4 percent effective in a Brazil clinical trial.<ref>{{#invoke:cite journal ||title=COVID variants test immunity, NIH chief and China's mixed vaccine data |journal=Nature |page=497 |doi=10.1038/d41586-021-00186-w |date=27 January 2021|volume=589 |issue=7843 |bibcode=2021Natur.589..497. |doi-access=free }}</ref> [[File:Covid-19 SP - Santo Andre's hospital at peak of pandemic.jpg|thumb|A temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients in Brazil in March 2021]] On 12 March, several countries stopped using the [[Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine]]- due to blood clotting problems, specifically [[cerebral venous sinus thrombosis]] (CVST).<ref>{{#invoke:cite web || title=AstraZeneca defends COVID vaccine as handful of nations pause use over fear of blood clots |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/astrazeneca-defends-covid-vaccine-as-handful-of-nations-pause-use-over-fear-of-blood-clots/ |publisher=CBS News |access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref> On 20 March, the WHO and European Medicines Agency found no link to [[thrombosis]], leading several countries to resume administering the vaccine.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||date=20 March 2021|title=WHO renews backing for AstraZeneca's COVID-19 jab as European countries resume vaccinations|work=[[SBS News]]|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/who-renews-backing-for-astrazeneca-s-covid-19-jab-as-european-countries-resume-vaccinations|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> In March WHO reported that an animal host was the most likely origin, without ruling out other possibilities.<ref name="who-origins-20210330">{{#invoke:cite web||date=30 March 2021|title=WHO-convened global study of origins of SARS-CoV-2: China Part|url=https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-convened-global-study-of-origins-of-sars-cov-2-china-part|access-date=31 March 2021|publisher=World Health Organization}}</ref><ref name="Maxmen2021whoReport" /> The [[SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant|Delta variant]] was first identified in India. In mid-April, the variant was first detected in the UK and two months later it had become a full-fledged third wave in the country, forcing the government to delay reopening that was originally scheduled for June.<ref>{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Callaway E | title = Delta coronavirus variant: scientists brace for impact | journal = Nature | volume = 595 | issue = 7865 | pages = 17–18 | date = July 2021 | pmid = 34158664 | doi = 10.1038/d41586-021-01696-3 | bibcode = 2021Natur.595...17C | s2cid = 235609029 }}</ref> On 10 November, Germany advised against the [[Moderna COVID-19 vaccine|Moderna vaccine]] for people under 30, due to a possible association with [[myocarditis]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Germany Advises Against Moderna Covid Vaccine For People Under 30|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/germany-advises-against-moderna-covid-vaccine-for-people-under-30-2605574|access-date=23 December 2021|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> On 24 November, the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant|Omicron variant]] was detected in South Africa; a few days later the World Health Organization declared it a VoC (variant of concern).<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||last1=Fink |first1=Jenni |title=Omicron variant that may resist vaccines found in all U.S. states |url=https://www.newsweek.com/omicron-variant-that-may-resist-vaccines-found-all-us-states-1656826 |website=Newsweek |access-date=25 December 2021 |date=22 December 2021}}</ref> The new variant is more infectious than the Delta variant.<ref>{{#invoke:cite journal || vauthors = Karim SS, Karim QA | title = Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant: a new chapter in the COVID-19 pandemic | journal = Lancet | volume = 398 | issue = 10317 | pages = 2126–2128 | date = December 2021 | pmid = 34871545 | pmc = 8640673 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02758-6 }}</ref> {{clear}} ===2022=== [[File:Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron) (52665469105).jpg|thumb|250px|Scanning electron micrograph (colorized) of cell infected with the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles ''green'']] {{Hatnote|Timelines of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 by month: [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2022|January]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2022|February]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2022|March]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2022|April]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2022|May]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2022|June]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2022|July]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2022|August]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2022|September]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2022|October]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2022|November]], [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2022|December]]}} On 1 January, Europe passed 100 million cases amidst a surge in the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant|Omicron variant]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=Europe Tops 100 Million Coronavirus Cases in Pandemic |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/omicron-coronavirus-variant-sweeps-across-the-globe/6377972.html |website=VOA |date=January 2022 |access-date=2 January 2022 }}</ref> Later that month, the WHO recommended the [[rheumatoid arthritis]] drug [[Baricitinib]] for severe or critical patients. It also recommended the monoclonal antibody [[Sotrovimab]] in patients with non-severe disease, but only those who are at highest risk of hospitalization.<ref>{{#invoke:cite journal ||last1=Kmietowicz |first1=Zosia |title=Covid-19: WHO recommends baricitinib and sotrovimab to treat patients |journal=BMJ |date=13 January 2022 |volume=376 |pages=o97 |doi=10.1136/bmj.o97 |pmid=35027362 |s2cid=245907930 |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o97 |access-date=29 May 2023}}</ref> On 24 January, the [[Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation]] estimated that about 57% of the world's population had been infected by COVID-19.<ref name="57percent1">{{#invoke:cite web ||title=COVID-19 Results Briefing |url=https://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/1_briefing_Global_5.pdf |website=healthdata.org |access-date=7 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="57percent2">{{#invoke:cite web ||title=COVID Evaluation Model Estimates 57 Percent of World Population Infected at Least Once |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/covid-evaluation-model-estimates-57-percent-of-world-population-infected-at-least-once/ar-AAT6yyz?ocid=BingNewsSearch |website=MSN |access-date=7 February 2022}}</ref> By 6 March, it was reported that the total worldwide death count had surpassed 6 million people.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||first=Deidre |last=McPhillips |title=Global Covid-19 deaths surpass 6 million |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/07/health/global-covid-deaths-surpass-six-million/index.html |website=CNN |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> By 6 July, Omicron subvariants [[BA.4]] and [[BA.5]] had spread worldwide.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=BA.5, now dominant U.S. variant, may pose the biggest threat to immune protection yet |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/omicron-ba5-ba4-covid-symptoms-vaccines-rcna36894 |website=NBC News |date=7 July 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022 }}</ref> WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus stated on 14 September 2022, that "[The world has] never been in a better position to end the pandemic", citing the lowest number of weekly reported deaths since March 2020. He continued, "We are not there yet. But the end is in sight—we can see the finish line".<ref>{{#invoke:cite news || url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1126621 | title=The end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight: WHO | date=14 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news || url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-chief-says-end-sight-covid-19-pandemic-2022-09-14/ | title=End of COVID pandemic is 'in sight' -WHO chief | newspaper=Reuters | date=14 September 2022 | last1=Mishra | first1=Manas }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news || url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-pandemic-who-says-end-in-sight-deaths-drop-rcna47680 | title=WHO says 'end is in sight' for the Covid pandemic as global deaths hit lowest since March 2020 | website=[[NBC News]] }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news || url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/14/health/pandemic-end-in-sight-who/index.html | title=The end of the pandemic is in sight, WHO director-general says, 'so let's seize this opportunity' | website=[[CNN]] | date=14 September 2022 }}</ref> On 21 October, the United States surpassed 99 million cases of COVID-19, the most cases of any country.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=Coronavirus Morning News Brief – Oct. 21: More Americans Are Getting the Updated Vaccine, BA.5 Continues Dominance in U.S. |url=https://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2022/10/coronavirus-morning-news-brief-oct-21-more-americans-are-getting-the-updated-vaccine-ba-5-continues-dominance-in-u-s/ |website=Frequent Business Traveller |access-date=21 October 2022}}</ref> By 30 October, the worldwide daily death toll was 424, the lowest since 385 deaths were reported on 12 March 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=COVID-19 world weekly cases down 19% but new subvariant spreading |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2022/10/30/COVID-19-world-weekly-cases-down-19-but-new-subvariant-spreading/8241667141393/ |website=UPI |access-date=2 November 2022 }}</ref> 17 November marked the three-year anniversary since health officials in China first detected COVID-19.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=What day is the real anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic? |url=https://theweek.com/articles/971043/what-day-real-anniversary-covid19-pandemic |website=The Week |date=9 March 2021 |access-date=5 November 2022 }}</ref> On 11 November, the WHO reported that deaths since the month of February had dropped 90 percent. Director-General Tedros said this was "cause for optimism".<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=WHO reports 90% drop in global COVID-19 deaths since February |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/who-reports-90-25-drop-in-global-covid-19-deaths-since-february/ar-AA13ZU6n |website=MSN |access-date=11 November 2022}}</ref> On 3 December, the WHO indicated that, "at least 90% of the world's population has some level of immunity to Sars-CoV-2".<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=WHO estimates 90% of world have some resistance to Covid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/03/who-estimates-90-of-world-have-some-resistance-to-covid |website=The Guardian |access-date=3 December 2022 |date=3 December 2022}}</ref> In early December, China began lifting some of its most stringent lockdown measures. Subsequent data from China's health authorities revealed that 248 million people, nearly 18 percent of its population, had been infected in the first 20 days of that month.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=China Estimates Covid Surge Is Infecting 37 Million People a Day |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-23/china-estimates-covid-surge-is-infecting-37-million-people-a-day |website=Bloomberg |date=23 December 2022}}</ref> On 29 December, the US joined Italy, Japan, Taiwan and India in requiring negative COVID-19 test results from all people traveling from China due to the new surge in cases. The EU refused similar measures, stating that the BF7 omicron variant had already spread throughout Europe without becoming dominant.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=US will require COVID-19 testing for travelers from China |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/us-will-require-covid-19-testing-for-travelers-from-china/ar-AA15KHjS |website=MSN |access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=EU calls screening of travellers from China 'unjustified' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64119080 |access-date=29 December 2022 |publisher=BBC News |date=29 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229164230/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64119080 |archive-date=29 December 2022}}</ref> ===2023=== {{Hatnote|[[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023]]}} On 4 January 2023, the World Health Organization said the information shared by China during the recent surge in infections lacked data, such as hospitalization rates.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=WHO worried about surge of COVID in China amid lack of info |url=https://apnews.com/article/health-china-covid-19-pandemic-world-organization-2576d9c8c1c1f75b76800edbb476894d |website=AP NEWS |access-date=6 January 2023 |date=4 January 2023}}</ref> On 10 January, the WHO's Europe office said the recent viral surge in China posed "no immediate threat."<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||title=WHO Europe: no immediate COVID-19 threat from China |url=https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-19-pandemic-china-europe-world-organization-2cead41e96c46b8027c26510bddb0873 |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=AP NEWS |date=10 January 2023 }}</ref> On 16 January, the WHO recommended that China monitor excess mortality to provide "a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of COVID-19."<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Tétrault-Farber |first1=Gabrielle |last2=Rigby |first2=Jennifer |last3=Farge |first3=Emma |title=WHO recommends that China monitor excess COVID-19 mortality |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/who-recommends-that-china-monitor-excess-covid-19-mortality-2023-01-16/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=Reuters |date=16 January 2023 }}</ref> On 30 January, the three-year anniversary of the original declaration, the World Health Organization determined that COVID-19 still met the criteria for a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Lasarte |first1=Diego |last2=Sofia |first2=Lotto Persio |title=China's covid cases loom over upcoming WHO meeting on state of the pandemic |url=https://qz.com/covid-pandemic-public-health-emergency-end-who-1850035035 |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=Quartz |date=26 January 2023 }}</ref> On 19 March, WHO Director-General Tedros indicated he was "confident" the COVID-19 pandemic would cease to be a public health emergency by the end of the year.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web ||title=COVID-19 pandemic expected to end this year 'as a public health emergency,' says World Health Organization |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/covid-19-pandemic-expected-to-end-this-year-as-a-public-health-emergency-says-world-health-organization/ar-AA18OUdE |website=MSN |access-date=20 March 2023}}</ref> On 5 May, the WHO downgraded COVID-19 from being a global health emergency, though it continued to refer to it as a pandemic.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/health/covid-who-emergency-end.html|title=W.H.O. Ends Global Health Emergency Designation for Covid|work=[[New York Times]]|first=Stephanie|last=Nolen|date=5 May 2023|accessdate=5 May 2023}}</ref> The WHO does not make official declarations of when pandemics end.<ref name="reuters">{{#invoke:cite web||last=Rigby|first=Jennifer|date=8 May 2023|title=WHO declares end to COVID global health emergency|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/covid-is-no-longer-global-health-emergency-who-2023-05-05/|website=Reuters|access-date=9 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{#invoke:cite news ||last1=Gregory |first1=Andrew |title=Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency, says WHO |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/05/covid-19-no-longer-global-health-emergency-world-health-organization |access-date=9 May 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=5 May 2023}}</ref> The decision came after Tedros convened with the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, wherein the Committee noted that due to the decrease in deaths and hospitalisations, and the prevalence of vaccinations and the level of general immunity, it was time to remove the emergency designation and "transition to long-term management".<ref name="WHO Statement 5 May 2023">{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.who.int/news/item/05-05-2023-statement-on-the-fifteenth-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-pandemic|title=Statement on the fifteenth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic|publisher=[[World Health Organization]]|date=5 May 2023|accessdate=5 May 2023}}</ref> Tedros agreed, and the WHO reduced the classification to an "established and ongoing health issue".<ref name="WHO Statement 5 May 2023"/> In a press conference, Tedros remarked that the diminishing threat from COVID-19 had "allowed most countries to return to life as we knew it before COVID-19".<ref name="npr">{{#invoke:cite web||date=5 May 2023|title=WHO ends global health emergency declaration for COVID-19|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/05/05/1174269442/who-ends-global-health-emergency-declaration-for-covid-19|website=NPR|first1=Giulia|last1=Heyward|first2=Marc|last2=Silver|access-date=9 May 2023}}</ref> In September the WHO said it had observed "concerning" trends in COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalisations, although analysis was hampered because many countries were no longer recording COVID-19 case statistics.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news ||publisher=Al Jazeera |title=WHO sees 'concerning' COVID trends before winter as hospitalisations rise |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/6/who-sees-concerning-covid-trends-before-winter-as-hospitalisations |date=6 September 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031093332/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/6/who-sees-concerning-covid-trends-before-winter-as-hospitalisations |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2023, in response to viral mutations and changing characteristics of infection, the WHO adjusted its treatment guidelines. Among other changes, remdesivir and molnupiravir were now recommended only for the most severe cases, and [[deuremidevir]] and ivermectin were recommended against.<ref>{{#invoke:cite journal ||journal=BMJ |type=Press release |date=9 November 2023 |title=WHO updates its guidance on treatments for COVID-19 |url=https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/who-updates-its-guidance-on-treatments-for-covid-19/}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page