The World Health Organisation's (WHO) decision to remove Covid-19 as a global health emergency does not make any practical difference to how countrie
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) decision to remove Covid-19 as a global health emergency does not make any practical difference to how countries manage the virus, according to epidemiologist Michael Baker. Although Covid-19 is still a pandemic, the virus is an established and ongoing health issue that no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, according to WHO. Baker said that Covid-19 remained New Zealand’s number one killer when it came to infectious disease, and people should ensure they are vaccinated and take sensible precautions. WHO estimated that around 20 million people had died from Covid-19 and there were approximately 3,500 deaths a week by late April 2023.