Since the beginning of the pandemic, the COVID-19 epidemiological scenarios across countries have been heterogenous, as well as the national strategies adopted to control transmission. The ability of the virus to spread rapidly in certain settings has meant that COVID-19 has sometimes overwhelmed even the most resilient health systems. In addition, increasing indirect mortality has been documented worldwide as disruptions to health services associated with the pandemic and response measures have impacted care for other health conditions.
In the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, our efforts to end the pandemic have been strengthened by deployment of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. However, we are now faced with two new challenges in 2021: the emergence of virus variants that have demonstrated increased transmissibility and possible escape from immune responses, as well as pandemic fatigue, leading to poorer adherence to public health and social measures. The global situation remains highly unstable, health systems and global supply chains remain under significant pressure, and inequities are prolonging the impact and duration of pandemic.
The work of the World Health Organization for COVID-19 is guided by the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. This is intended to help guide the public health response to COVID-19 at national and subnational levels, and to provide global strategic priorities in support of this effort. The strategic objectives for COVID-19 are to suppress transmission, reduce exposure, counter misinformation, protect the vulnerable, reduce mortality and morbidity and accelerate equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
This talk will cover the global epidemiological situation, the World Health Organization’s comprehensive strategy for coordinated public health action, and the factors driving the current global epidemiological situation, including an update on the evolution and impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.