Five Years Post-COVID: WHO Calls on China for Crucial Data Transparency

WHO reminded that on 31 December 2019, its Country Office in China noticed a media statement from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission on their website regarding instances of “viral pneumonia” in the city.

“In the weeks, months, and years that followed, COVID-19 began to influence our lives and our world,” the UN organization stated on Monday.

Globally, there have been 777,074,803 confirmed cases of this illness, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, along with over seven million fatalities.

Data sharing and access

“We persist in urging China to share data and grant access so we may comprehend the origins of COVID-19,” WHO stated.

“This is both a moral and scientific necessity. Without openness, sharing, and collaboration among nations, the world cannot sufficiently avert and prep for future outbreaks and pandemics.”

In commemorating the five-year mark, WHO also paid tribute to lives lost to the illness and acknowledged those who continue to endure from it or long COVID.

The organization expressed appreciation to the healthcare professionals “who dedicated so much to care for us, and vowed to learn from COVID-19 to create a healthier future.”

Action timeline

WHO has released an interactive timeline detailing its reaction to COVID-19.

It mentioned that staff initiated emergency protocols on 1 January 2020 and alerted the globe three days later.

Between 9 and 12 January, WHO published its first set of thorough guidance for countries, and on 13 January, gathered partners to present the blueprint for the initial SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test.

“Throughout this period, we assembled experts and health ministries from around the planet, collected and analyzed data, and shared what was reported, what we discovered, and its implications for individuals,” the organization remarked.