COVID-19: The Next Phase And Beyond

 After more than two years of living with COVID-19, the world has reached a tipping point, with over 62 million verified deaths (and an estimated 20 million additional deaths) and over 510 million confirmed cases. In many nations, the omicron wave is subsiding due to its high transmissibility and gentler course than earlier variations, especially among those who are completely vaccinated and have no comorbidities. People are gradually returning to pre-pandemic activities like as meetings, office-based jobs, and cultural events as restrictions are eased. Many countries are relaxing their mask laws. Testing and surveillance have diminished, and widespread travel has resumed. People are fatigued and want to forget about the pandemic, which is understandable. This would be a huge blunder.

To begin with, 

the pandemic scenario is not the same everywhere. China, for example, continues to use its "dynamic zero COVID" method of mass testing, quarantining those who test positive, and locking off districts or even entire cities (most recently Shanghai). These policies have been implemented severely and mercilessly by Chinese officials, with little regard for human costs. According to Chinese officials, the goal is to prevent further spread, protect the health system, and prevent deaths. The issue is that many older and susceptible persons are not fully vaccinated, and the licensed vaccines' efficacy is subpar. China's first aim must be to implement an effective immunization policy as quickly as possible. For the Chinese people, the existing strategy is not a long-term solution.

Second, 

the worldwide vaccination strategy is woefully behind schedule. Inequity in vaccination distribution persists. The World Health Organization's goal of vaccinating at least 70% of people in every country by June 2022 is far out of reach. Despite the fact that 597 percent of people worldwide have gotten two vaccine doses, less than 20% of people in more than 40 countries are fully immunized. Even in high-income countries, a significant percentage of the population refuses to be vaccinated. With high transmission rates, the emergence of a novel SARS-CoV-2 strain is almost certain. The BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, which were initially discovered in South Africa, are being intensively monitored. Everywhere, constant monitoring is required.

Third, 

vaccine inequities is paralleled by poor and delayed access to paxlovid, one of the few effective COVID-19 oral therapies. Pavlovic reduces the risk of hospitalization and mortality by 89 percent when given early. Although Pfizer is ordering millions of doses from high-income nations, methods to make paxlovid available in low- and middle-income countries via the Medicines Patent Pool are delayed. Although a deal with 35 generic manufacturers in 12 countries has been signed, the medication is not likely to be delivered until 2023.

Lastly, 

now is the moment to plan, learn from failures, and build robust, resilient health systems, as well as long-term national and international preparedness strategies. Healthcare system must be enhanced not solely to look for possible pandemics, but also to deal with the delays in treatment, diagnosis, and care for other diseases that have arisen from the disruption of the previous two years. Vaccination attempts to catch up on diseases like measles are critical. Both national and international preparedness plans must place a heavy emphasis on early data exchange and transparent surveillance. The core argument should be One Health, which takes into account both human and animal health. The 75th World Health Assembly (May 22–29, 2022) will provide an opportunity to review progress on amending the International Health Regulations and to continue discussions on a pandemic treaty, which has been much too slow. The progress report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body is not expected until 2023.

Inquests examining countries' responses to COVID-19 are required at the national level. Learning from mistakes is never simple, and governments are often reluctant to acknowledge they have occurred. The UK Government claimed to have acted on the best evidence available at the time when the UK High Court declared last week that it was illegal to discharge hospital patients to care homes without COVID-19 testing. This is a total lie. By late January 2020, the evidence for asymptomatic transmission had already become obvious.

COVID-19 must not be neglected or history altered at this time. It is past time to redouble efforts to end the pandemic's acute phase for all by 2022, and to create solid, long-term foundations for a better future with obvious accountability and honest acceptance of uncomfortable facts.