Tuesday marks five years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic, a moment that forced the world to acknowledge the unfolding crisis.
Although the WHO had already issued its highest alert—a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)—on January 30, 2020, the warning was largely ignored. It was only on March 11, 2020, when WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus used the word "pandemic", that many governments finally took action—though, by then, the response was tragically delayed.
At a press conference in Geneva’s Strategic Health Operations Centre (SHOC), Tedros described the alarming surge in cases, revealing that infections outside China had increased 13-fold in two weeks, with the virus spreading to 114 countries and causing 4,291 deaths. Expressing concern over the lack of global response, he declared: "We have therefore made the assessment that Covid-19 can be characterised as a pandemic."
A Game-Changer in Global Response
Veteran journalists attending the briefing, including John Zarocostas, noted that using the term "pandemic" changed the global response dramatically. Governments, previously hesitant, shifted into full crisis mode, ramping up health measures and restrictions.
Despite this, WHO officials later expressed frustration that the world had ignored earlier warnings. Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s emergencies director, lamented in 2022: "The warning in January was way more important than the announcement in March."
Preparing for the Next Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted economies, overwhelmed health systems, and claimed millions of lives. Now, WHO officials warn that another pandemic is inevitable.
In response, negotiations are underway for a global pandemic preparedness agreement, set to be finalized at the WHO’s annual assembly in May 2025. Additionally, starting in September, the WHO chief will be empowered to declare an even higher-level "pandemic emergency", aiming to ensure quicker global action in future outbreaks.
Tedros continues to urge nations not to repeat past mistakes, stressing the need for proactive global health strategies rather than reactive panic.