Almost 3 and a half years later, in May 2023, after an estimated global death toll of over 6.9 million people, WHO declared the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic several public health measures were adopted, including lockdowns and limitations of access to public spaces for physical activity. A new WHO/Europe COVID-19 Information Hub is replacing the previous COVID-19 Situation Dashboard to serve as a comprehensive resource, providing links to the most current health information, datasets and products concerning COVID-19. Conditions that increase risk include diabetes, health or lung disease, obesity and weakened immune systems. “We found that most hospitalized patients were older or had chronic diseases. Moreover, the impact of the virus seems to still be as severe, and sometimes more severe, than influenza,” noted Dr Mark Katz, a medical epidemiologist with the Pandemic Threats, Communicable Diseases and Anti-Microbial Resistance Unit of WHO/Europe. However, only 3% of hospitalized patients had received a COVID-19 vaccine within the past 12 months. The EuroSAVE network study included 6 countries and areas. Coronavirus disease (COVID- However, the landscape has now shifted, and so have data needs.WHO also provided countries with strategic and policy recommendations, technical guidance, and tools.To guide this shift, WHO has developed a strategic and operational plan to help countries manage COVID-19 as part of routine health systems.It also confirms that getting an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine continues to be the most effective way of preventing severe disease from COVID-19.COVID-19 still causes severe disease, but up-to-date vaccines are effective, new research showsMedical treatment exists for COVID-19, although most people recover from mild illness without needing treatment.COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads through the air in infectious respiratory particles from an infected person. Cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV) were first detected in China in December 2019, with the virus spreading rapidly to other countries across the world. To guide this shift, WHO has developed a strategic and operational plan to help countries manage COVID-19 as part of routine health systems. Ongoing activities in this respect include regular issuance of Disease Outbreak News posts, supporting ongoing research, updating guidance, monitoring virus trends, and evaluating vaccine composition. Results showed that throughout the study period, patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were more likely to have severe outcomes – including requiring oxygen, being admitted to the ICU and death – compared to influenza patients. Another EuroSAVE study compared patients hospitalized for respiratory infections with COVID-19 to those hospitalized with influenza during a 3-year period (2022–2024). In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, WHO/Europe has collaborated with partners in ministries of health in countries and areas in the eastern part of the Region to conduct enhanced surveillance for respiratory infections through a regional network of hospitals. It also confirms that getting an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine continues to be the most effective way of preventing severe disease from COVID-19. From permacrisis to resilience: noncommunicable diseases in emergency preparedness and response This led WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020 and to characterize the outbreak as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The COVID-19 Monthly Operational Update reports on WHO and partners’ actions in response to the pandemic. For the most recent summaries and data, please visit the WHO COVID-19 Dashboard. WHO also provided countries with strategic and policy recommendations, technical guidance, and tools. It is important to stay up to date with local recommendations provided by national health authories. Conditions that increase risk include diabetes, health or lung disease, obesity and weakened immune systems.These people are in risk groups that are recommended to get annual COVID-19 shots, but most hadn’t received an up-to-date vaccine.”For those who need treatment, health-care professionals suggest treatments for COVID-19 based on the severity of the disease and the risk of it getting worse.They consider the person’s age, symptoms, any coexisting health conditions, and individual factors which might interfere with specific treatments.People are more likely to catch the virus when they are close to the infected person, or when they are sharing a closed space with them.In November 2023, given that most of the global population had by that time been infected at least once, WHO updated its recommendations stating that a single dose of vaccine can be considered for those who have not yet been vaccinated.The virus can also enter the body when someone touches contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or handles and then touches the eyes, nose or mouth. Treatment Women leaders shift thinking on mental health and immunization in North Macedonia However, the landscape has now shifted, and so have data needs. The COVID-19 Situation Dashboard played a pivotal role in providing essential information during the early stages of the pandemic. A review committee will be established to develop long-term, standing recommendations for countries on how to manage COVID-19 on an ongoing basis. For the latest data and information on COVID-19, please see also The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global outbreak of coronavirus – an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). WHO/Europe and ministries of health will continue conducting enhanced surveillance through the EuroSAVE network in order to better understand the burden of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, evaluate the effectiveness of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccines and answer other urgent public health questions about infections due to respiratory pathogens, old and new. COVID-19 still causes severe disease, but up-to-date vaccines are effective, new research shows WHO recommended 13 vaccines for emergency use, guiding countries and UN agencies in their procurement, and led global coordination on research and development, and setting standards for vaccines, tests, and treatments. Even though vaccines protect against severe disease and death, they have limited impact on reducing transmission. Maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID- On 25 October 2023 WHO/Europe made several changes to its respiratory virus surveillance and data reporting systems.These include older adults, people with comorbidities, immunocompromized individuals and pregnant persons.Women leaders shift thinking on mental health and immunization in North MacedoniaTo prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, vaccination should be considered, particularly if you are at higher risk of serious illness, or if you are a health and care worker caring for those at higher risk.COVAX, its vaccine pillar, proved a ground-breaking global initiative to accelerate vaccine development and production, and ensure equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines.Health and care workers face higher exposure risk due to their work environment.Even though vaccines protect against severe disease and death, they have limited impact on reducing transmission.Ongoing activities in this respect include regular issuance of Disease Outbreak News posts, supporting ongoing research, updating guidance, monitoring virus trends, and evaluating vaccine composition. Two additional studies from the EuroSAVE network reaffirmed the effectiveness of an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine. This network, named the European Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Vaccine Effectiveness (EuroSAVE) Network, was created in 2021 and currently includes countries and areas in the Balkans, South Caucasus and Central Asia. Recent research led by WHO/Europe together with partners in 7 Member States shows that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to cause hospitalizations and deaths throughout the WHO European Region. However, while the pandemic is behind us, COVID-19 is not. Those early cases were the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Situation Dashboard played a pivotal role in providing essential information during the early stages of the pandemic.Those early cases were the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.“We found that most hospitalized patients were older or had chronic diseases.SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, spreads through the air via infectious respiratory particles released when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes.The COVID-19 Monthly Operational Update reports on WHO and partners’ actions in response to the pandemic.Recent research led by WHO/Europe together with partners in 7 Member States shows that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to cause hospitalizations and deaths throughout the WHO European Region. Because of increasing immunity from past infections and/or vaccination, most people recover without treatment. The virus can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then the eyes, nose or mouth. Since their introduction, COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world by providing protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. People who have underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing severe disease when they have COVID-19; they should seek medical help early if worried about their condition. In light of the fact that COVID-19 continues to cause morbidity and mortality across the globe, WHO continues to emphasize the importance of revaccination for groups at higher risk of severe disease and death. In all 4 studies, EuroSAVE surveillance data showed that very few hospitalized patients who were in high-risk groups had actually received an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine in the previous year. Another study, which included data from the 6 countries and areas that are part of EuroSAVE, found that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in the previous 6 months prevented 60% of hospitalizations. The plan promotes sustainable, evidence-based management of coronavirus threats, aligning COVID-19 responses with broader strategies for respiratory disease control and public health resilience. Older adults, people with underlying health conditions, and unvaccinated individuals are at higher risk of severe illness. These people are in risk groups that are recommended to get annual COVID-19 shots, but most hadn’t received an up-to-date vaccine.” Furthermore, in some of the countries included in the analysis, COVID-19 vaccines were no longer available. “Our studies, using data from the EuroSAVE network, highlight that, while COVID-19 is not leading to the widespread disease we saw during the pandemic, it has still been causing a considerable number of hospitalizations and deaths. COVAX, its vaccine pillar, proved a ground-breaking global initiative to accelerate vaccine development and production, and ensure equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines. The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, launched by WHO and partners, was an unprecedented global effort to rapidly develop and deploy diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. To prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, vaccination should be considered, particularly if you are at higher risk of serious illness, or if you are a health and care worker caring for those at higher risk. Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 - 1 March 2023 Because of increasing immunity from past infections and/or vaccination, most people recover without treatment.WHO/Europe and ministries of health will continue conducting enhanced surveillance through the EuroSAVE network in order to better understand the burden of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, evaluate the effectiveness of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccines and answer other urgent public health questions about infections due to respiratory pathogens, old and new.This led WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020 and to characterize the outbreak as a pandemic on 11 March 2020.The plan promotes sustainable, evidence-based management of coronavirus threats, aligning COVID-19 responses with broader strategies for respiratory disease control and public health resilience.It is important to stay up to date with local recommendations provided by national health authories.The potential consequences of severe COVID-19 include respiratory failure, sepsis, thromboembolism (blood clots), and multiorgan failure, including injury of the heart, liver or kidneys, and death. The virus can also enter the body when someone touches contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or handles and then touches the eyes, nose or mouth. People are more likely to catch the virus when they are close to the infected person, or when they are sharing a closed space with them. The most common symptoms include fatigue, aches and pains in muscles or joints, breathlessness, headaches, and difficulty in thinking or concentrating. In rare situations, children can develop a severe inflammatory syndrome a few weeks after infection and may require medical attention and hospitalization. Taking stock of the health-related SDG during COVID-19 WHO remains committed to learning more about long COVID and to finding ways to improve the medium- and long-term outcomes for people affected by it, as Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge ... Effective and sustainable laboratory services are important components of robust health systems. This report explores the multifaceted nexus between health and tourism within the WHO European Region, emphasizing the importance of sustainable tourism... In November 2023, given that most of the global population had by that time been infected at least once, WHO updated its recommendations stating that a single dose of vaccine can be considered for those who have not yet been vaccinated. Those providing care for high-risk individuals should wear a medical mask and test for COVID-19 if they develop any of the symptoms of COVID-19. They consider the person’s age, symptoms, any coexisting health conditions, and individual factors which might interfere with specific treatments. SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, spreads through the air via infectious respiratory particles released when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The potential consequences of severe COVID-19 include respiratory failure, sepsis, thromboembolism (blood clots), and multiorgan failure, including injury of the heart, liver or kidneys, and death. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads through the air in infectious respiratory particles from an infected person. Revaccination of health workers is also recommended. These include older adults, people with comorbidities, immunocompromized individuals and pregnant persons. People may experience different symptoms with COVID-19. Health and care workers face higher exposure risk due to their work environment. About 6% develop post COVID-19 condition (PCC, or long COVID), however, which can cause lasting symptoms such as memory issues, fatigue or breathing difficulties. From the global site For those who need treatment, health-care professionals suggest treatments for COVID-19 based on the severity of the disease and the risk of it getting worse. Infected people may also spread the virus in the absence of symptoms or in the days prior to developing any symptoms. Some people who have had COVID-19, whether they needed hospitalization or not, continue to experience symptoms long after the infectious period has ended. COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide strong protection against severe illness and death. Vaccination remains a key preventive measure against severe disease. “Our studies, using data from the EuroSAVE network, highlight that, while COVID-19 is not leading to the widespread disease we saw during the pandemic, it has still been causing a considerable number of hospitalizations and deaths.The virus can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then the eyes, nose or mouth.In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, WHO/Europe has collaborated with partners in ministries of health in countries and areas in the eastern part of the Region to conduct enhanced surveillance for respiratory infections through a regional network of hospitals.People are more likely to catch the virus when they are close to the infected person, or when they are sharing a closed space with them.Revaccination of health workers is also recommended.Results showed that throughout the study period, patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were more likely to have severe outcomes – including requiring oxygen, being admitted to the ICU and death – compared to influenza patients.Older adults, people with underlying health conditions, and unvaccinated individuals are at higher risk of severe illness.In all 4 studies, EuroSAVE surveillance data showed that very few hospitalized patients who were in high-risk groups had actually received an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine in the previous year. People may experience different symptoms with COVID-19.A new WHO/Europe COVID-19 Information Hub is replacing the previous COVID-19 Situation Dashboard to serve as a comprehensive resource, providing links to the most current health information, datasets and products concerning COVID-19.Since their introduction, COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world by providing protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death.In light of the fact that COVID-19 continues to cause morbidity and mortality across the globe, WHO continues to emphasize the importance of revaccination for groups at higher risk of severe disease and death.Those providing care for high-risk individuals should wear a medical mask and test for COVID-19 if they develop any of the symptoms of COVID-19.Taking stock of the health-related SDG during COVID-19 Additional protective equipment should be considered for health workers taking part in aerosol-generating procedures, in consultation with occupational health and safety advisors. There are a number of things that people can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Medical treatment exists for COVID-19, although most people recover from mild illness without needing treatment. Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 - 25 August 2023 On 25 October 2023 WHO/Europe made several changes to its respiratory virus surveillance and data reporting systems. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, over 2 million people in the European Region have died from the disease. This does not mean the pandemic itself is over, but the global emergency it caused is – for now.